The ski symbolically transferred into each following event, being a unique mark of this event and signed by the great worldwide stars opening the EXPO – ZIM in a few previous years, will be signed this year by Bojan Krizaj, announced Mr. Andjelko Trpkovic, Belgrade Fair CEO:

- After Stenmark and Tomba, the EXPO – ZIM is opened this year by the legendary Bojan Krizaj, the first skier of the second Yugoslavia, the greatest skiing star from the regions of our former mutual state. This is the event visited by all skiing fans, it is a place of get-together, exchange of ideas and equipment, the one where the winter season begins. Everyone can find the relevant equipment, arrangements and various conveniences there, since skiing should not be an  e l i t e  sport, but the one for all those truly enjoying it.

This event offer will include sports equipment, garments, accessories, mountaineering and camping equipment. In addition to this, the Hall 1 will include the arrangements offered by winter ski centers and travel agencies. The Serbian Ski Grounds and most manufacturers and wholesalers of the winter sport equipment will approve the Fair discount of 10 to 20% for buying the ski equipment, ski passes and travel packages. The Hall 5 has been reserved for the exchange, maintenance, repairs and installation of the used equipment.

In addition to the presentation of the local winter tourism centers – Kopaonik, Zlatibor, Tara, Stara Planina, Golija and Divcibare, Austria, Italy and The Republic of Srpska will feature their offers for the forthcoming season respectively. In addition to skiing arrangements, the travel agencies will also offer holidays at the most attractive local and worldwide travel destinations and the arrangements for the New Year’s holidays have been prepared, as well.

On behalf of the Sports for All Association, gathering sport organizations and associations in the territory of the City of Belgrade and being the co-organizer of this event, Mr. Petar Stakic spoke at the press conference, saying the EXPO-ZIM was not just another business point of Belgrade Fair, but also an event promoting and assisting the recreational and competing sports. During the event, a few new skating grounds would be started in Belgrade, the snow boarders prepared a seminar intended for young people and the new Serbian ski grounds would be featured to the visitors, as well. The EXPO – ZIM would be an opportunity to announce the Winter Sports and Recreation Festival on Kopaonik and the Children’s Winter Sports Festival on Tara.

- Already since 23 years, the skiing season has been starting at Belgrade Fair and this nice tradition speaks of the importance of the EXPO-ZIM event, said Mr. Dragan Zecevic, Project Manager.
- In addition to the diverse, but usual exhibiting product range and equipment, some innovations have been prepared this year, as well. The offer will include the equipment contributing to the car industry safety, various motor sleighs and snow vehicles. The Tourist Organizations are increasingly interested in this event and the Serbian Ski Grounds will approve the 10% discount for the Kopaonik ski pass only during the event. Within their participation, the Ski Grounds will demonstrate the new device Neleplast – the assembly line for the skiing simulation, for the first time in our country. The EXPO – ZIM will feature also the latest generation of the artificial snow manufacturing guns and many other novelties and interesting points, for which this event should be certainly visited.

USEFUL INFORMATION

The event festive opening is on Thursday, December 4, at 12.00 p. m. (noon), in Belgrade Fair Hall 1. The opening hours are from 10.00 a. m. to 8.00 p. m. A ticket costs RSD.280.00 and a car parking shall be paid RSD.100.00 per 1 hour.

BOJAN KRIZAJ

The First Skier of the Second Yugoslavia was born on January 31, 1957, in Kranj, Slovenia. As a skier, he had an extraordinary technique and was one of the best worldwide slalom and grand slalom specialists in the 1980’s. He is the most successful Yugoslav and Slovenian skier of all times.

He won the second place at the Slalom World Championship in 1982; he was the winner of the World Cup in the same branch in 1986/87 and won the Crystal Globe in 1987.

He ended his career in March 1988, at the final World Cup race in Salbach Hinterglem, in a specific way – just before the finish line, he took off his bindings and walked through the final line.