After a last minute change that drew down attendance, the 2013 International Paralympics Nordic Skiing World Cup is being held in Cable at the Telemark Resort. Jessica Hamilton reports.

This world cup competition is the first qualifier for the 2014 Sochi, Russia Games.

Cable Chamber of Commerce Director James Bolen says the number of countries competing this year is down only because of a last minute switch of the event from Poland to the United States.

“Some of the European Countries, their countries set their budgets for the year and they had anticipated having to get their athletes you know just across Europe which you know is a lot less expensive than flying into the United States, so some of the countries had to skip this World Cup event.”

Bolen says one opportunity for the United States out of this turn of events in the ability for a few more athletes to compete.

“But one nice thing for the United States is that they were able to bring a really strong team. They have 16 athletes from United States here, many of whom I’m don’t know if the United States would have paid to ship over to Europe.”

Bolen says because of the way the dates were set up, things got underway on Sunday, so the number of spectators has also been lower but there have been some special fans attending.

“A lot of the school kids from around northwestern Wisconsin came and have been cheering on the athletes. And the Athletes are so cool with the kids, the run over and give them high fives and talk with them. And we actually have banners and posters and so the kids have been going around and getting athletes autographs and so it’s been really, really fun.”

Bolen expects to create higher spectator turn out for the rest of the games. The World Cup is scheduled to end January 20.

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