site.btaUPDATED Deborah Compagnoni and Marc Girardelli Open Winter Season in Bansko with Descent on Tomba Slope

Ski legends Deborah Compagnoni and Marc Girardelli together with the children from the Ulen ski school, opened the winter season in Bansko, Southwestern Bulgaria with a descent on the Tomba ski slope. 

Three-time Olympic champion Deborah Compagnoni told journalists that she was in Bulgaria for the first time at invitation of her friend,  five-time World Cup winner Marc Girardelli. The Italian skier described the track, which she says bears the name of her very dear friend - Alberto Tomba, as "incredible". Compagnoni pointed out that many of her fellow Italians have been to Bansko in past years at various competitions. 

"I am very proud that Deborah came here, she is the greatest Italian skier," said Marc Girardelli. Unlike previous years, the season begins with a perfect snow cover, commented Girardelli. 

Minister of Tourism Zaritsa Dinkova attended the openong and commented that the winter season has indications of being very successful. She pointed out that efforts are being made to to create a road map for the development of sustainable winter tourism for more successful development of Bulgarian winter resorts in terms of innovation, technology and environmental protection. 

Bansko Mayor Stoycho Banenski pointed out that preparations for the winter season begin  in the spring, and the municipality of Bansko does not stop improving and modernizing its infrastructure. 

 Ivan Obreykov, marketing director of Ulen, concessionaire of the Bansko ski area, recalled that Bansko will host the  FIS Ski World Cup in Febfruary 2024. Bulgarian alpine skier Albert Popov will also take part, many people are expected to  come to support him, Obreykov noted.

National Assembly Chair Rosen Zheliazkov said that the State is in debt to winter resorts and it is high time to support the process of their development. Zhelyazkov pointed out that the National Assembly must adopt sustainable laws to guarantee the development of winter ski tourism and investments in it, so that Bansko's other competitors can also grow.