The 2009 Ski World Championships have been launched during a glittering ceremony in
Val d'Isere.
Thousands of people descended on the resort for the event, which featured entertainment from dance troupe Transe Express, according to valdinet.com.
"The French racers are relishing the challenge, as skiers such as Marie Marchand-Arvier from Les Contamines and Val d'Isere's own, Ingrid Jacquemod, have spent many, many hours practicing on these very pistes," the site stated.
Today's (Thursday) races begin at 11am with the women and men's downhill test run.
Entertainment will also be provided later in the evening at Val d'Isere church by pianist Miho Nagata.
The championships have been happening since 1931, with the first one taking place in the Swiss resort of Murren.
Once an old farming village, Val d'Isere is now one of Europe's top ski resorts and home to over 300 kilometres of piste.
Written by Fiona Mayers
