ARE, Sweden (AFP) -- Alpine legend Jean-Claude Killy has thrown the gauntlet down to misfiring French skiers, who he hopes will step up to the occasion when Val d'Isere hosts the world championships in 2009.

With three Olympic gold medals and an overall World Cup title Killy -- who was born in the French ski resort -- is regarded as one of alpine skiing's greats.

As the president of the organizing committee for 2009, the 63-year-old Frenchman is hoping to instill a festival-like atmosphere which will attract up to 200,000 visitors thanks to free entry to the competitions.

Killy, however, is also hoping France, who have yet to win a medal after eight of the 11 races at the current world championships here, can follow in the footsteps of Anja Paerson, who has won three gold medals -- with a chance of a unique fourth for a woman at a single world championships in Friday's slalom -- becoming the first ever skier to win gold in all five disciplines.

A year before the 2010 winter Olympics in Vancouver, Killy said French success would be crucial to the success of the 2009 competition.

"It is crucial for us to have good results from our national skiers," said Killy, who won three Olympic titles at Grenoble in 1968 and the World Cup overall crown two years in a row. "When Anja Paerson began winning her medals here the stands started to fill up."

Killy admitted he had no influence in the French ski team, but indicated he hoped they would at least try to emulate the success of the Swedish organizers here who have also had medals from Patrik Jaerbyn and Maria Pietilae-Holmner.

"We are the organizers, and I'm a bit too removed from the France team to be able to comment," he added.

"But I'm placing my trust in the team chiefs to make sure the team is competitive.

"I believe we can follow the example here. I know how important it is to ski in front of your own public. I've done it myself," added Killy, who is also a member of the International Olympic Committee.

Frenchman Antoine Deneriaz is the reigning Olympic champion in the downhill, but there are question marks over his status as one of the few bright lights in a team which has disappointed at these championships so far.

Hoping for a Paerson-like performance from their own skiers in 2009 might be a big ask.

Killy admitted the 25-year-old Swede's performances here simply left him in awe.

"I was totally speechless. It's such a difficult accomplishment these days," he said. "She achieved it through a combination of strength and panache."