FIS News
Highlights from the Alpine World Cup Sub Committee in Varna
On Friday morning the Sub Committee for Alpine World Cup met in Varna (BUL) and over a full agenda discussed the past season and plans for the future.
The opening remarks were given by Chairman Niklas Carlsson where he challenged the Committee to give some serious thought about the direction of Alpine skiing.
“Where are we standing? Is the glass half full or half empty?,” Carlsson said in his opening speech at the World Cup Sub Committee.
“I believe we have to push for development but I also realize it’s hard when you love the sport as much as we do as it becomes hard to criticize it. And without criticizing it first we can’t develop it.”
Carlsson expressed his concern that the World Cup might currently be undergoing a small “midlife crisis” and this was the right time to decide what to do moving ahead.
“The World Cup will soon be celebrating its 50th birthday and I challenge you to take some time this summer and think of how we can help it not to los momentum in the next 50 years. We can agree and disagree but eventually should come together and give recommendations to the Council about our development and future,” Carlsson said in his opening speech at the World Cup Sub Committee.
Carlsson’s speech was followed by reports by Chief Race Directors Atle Skaardal and Markus Waldner, who provided the Committee with their reports on the past season. Both spoke about the weather challenges their respective tours faced this past season but also how the World Championships in Vail/Beaver Creek and season finals in Meribel were excellent platforms to showcase the best skiing has to offer.
Next up was FIS Marketing Manager Marcel Looze who informed the attendees about minor amendments to the Advertising rules, including a change to the size of the ladies bib which will be proposed to the Council. In addition, a new look is being proposed for some of the Audi installations on site. The start installation and ceremonies backdrop could include some 3D elements.
Looze also showed a report regarding TV figures and concluded that there is room to grow out of the Central European market which is currently generating the most media impact and find ways to become more attractive to a younger audience.
The Chief Race Directors also clarified the proposals which had been put forward for minor adaptations and clarifications to the existing rules. These proposals would mainly impacting the Alpine Combine quotas and replacement of competitors, wording of the World Cup Final starting order, clarification to the Nations Team Event Rules and City Event rules, injury status and others.
During the meeting a discussion was also held regarding the increase of the Prize Money to 120’000 CHF and a proposal has been put forward to freeze the CHF exchange rate in light of the current economic climate. The topic will be further discussed on Saturday by the Finance Commission and then by the FIS Council to find a feasible solution so the exchange rate fluctuations don’t bring unbearable costs to Organizers.
Waldner announced that a proposal has been made for a parallel giant slalom to be added to the calendar and held in Alta Badia (ITA) next season.
“Parallel racers are good events, the younger generations like this format and by adding a PGS we are confident we can offer the audience a great and exciting product. This is not a new format, it’s an existing one and we believe in it.”
In addition to the PGS in Alta Badia, there are some new Organizers on the calendar for the upcoming season. Stockholm is set to host a City Event while La Thuile (ITA) and Jasna (SVK) will be hosting a ladies’ downhill and super-G and ladies’ giant slalom and slalom respectively.
Santa Caterina (ITA) will for the second year in a row replace the men’s downhill in Bormio (ITA) but conversations are ongoing to try and bring back the race on the famous Stelvio slope in the near future. Also, Korea and Japan are back on the men’s calendar with a downhill and super-G in Jeongseon and giant slalom and slalom in Naeba in February. Chamonix (FRA) is also making a comeback on the men’s tour with a downhill and Alpine Combines.
An increased emphasis next year will be put on the revival of the Alpine Combined as four Alpine Combined races are scheduled on the ladies’ tour and three on the men’s. This will also mean that at the Finals in St. Moritz (SUI) a crystal globe will once again be awarded to the most successful racers in the discipline.
Long-term calendars were also discussed for both ladies’ and men before the meeting was adjourned. The next one will be taking place at the FIS Fall Meetings in Zurich (SUI) in October.
Source: fis-ski.com
The opening remarks were given by Chairman Niklas Carlsson where he challenged the Committee to give some serious thought about the direction of Alpine skiing.
“Where are we standing? Is the glass half full or half empty?,” Carlsson said in his opening speech at the World Cup Sub Committee.
“I believe we have to push for development but I also realize it’s hard when you love the sport as much as we do as it becomes hard to criticize it. And without criticizing it first we can’t develop it.”
Carlsson expressed his concern that the World Cup might currently be undergoing a small “midlife crisis” and this was the right time to decide what to do moving ahead.
“The World Cup will soon be celebrating its 50th birthday and I challenge you to take some time this summer and think of how we can help it not to los momentum in the next 50 years. We can agree and disagree but eventually should come together and give recommendations to the Council about our development and future,” Carlsson said in his opening speech at the World Cup Sub Committee.
Carlsson’s speech was followed by reports by Chief Race Directors Atle Skaardal and Markus Waldner, who provided the Committee with their reports on the past season. Both spoke about the weather challenges their respective tours faced this past season but also how the World Championships in Vail/Beaver Creek and season finals in Meribel were excellent platforms to showcase the best skiing has to offer.
Next up was FIS Marketing Manager Marcel Looze who informed the attendees about minor amendments to the Advertising rules, including a change to the size of the ladies bib which will be proposed to the Council. In addition, a new look is being proposed for some of the Audi installations on site. The start installation and ceremonies backdrop could include some 3D elements.
Looze also showed a report regarding TV figures and concluded that there is room to grow out of the Central European market which is currently generating the most media impact and find ways to become more attractive to a younger audience.
The Chief Race Directors also clarified the proposals which had been put forward for minor adaptations and clarifications to the existing rules. These proposals would mainly impacting the Alpine Combine quotas and replacement of competitors, wording of the World Cup Final starting order, clarification to the Nations Team Event Rules and City Event rules, injury status and others.
During the meeting a discussion was also held regarding the increase of the Prize Money to 120’000 CHF and a proposal has been put forward to freeze the CHF exchange rate in light of the current economic climate. The topic will be further discussed on Saturday by the Finance Commission and then by the FIS Council to find a feasible solution so the exchange rate fluctuations don’t bring unbearable costs to Organizers.
Waldner announced that a proposal has been made for a parallel giant slalom to be added to the calendar and held in Alta Badia (ITA) next season.
“Parallel racers are good events, the younger generations like this format and by adding a PGS we are confident we can offer the audience a great and exciting product. This is not a new format, it’s an existing one and we believe in it.”
In addition to the PGS in Alta Badia, there are some new Organizers on the calendar for the upcoming season. Stockholm is set to host a City Event while La Thuile (ITA) and Jasna (SVK) will be hosting a ladies’ downhill and super-G and ladies’ giant slalom and slalom respectively.
Santa Caterina (ITA) will for the second year in a row replace the men’s downhill in Bormio (ITA) but conversations are ongoing to try and bring back the race on the famous Stelvio slope in the near future. Also, Korea and Japan are back on the men’s calendar with a downhill and super-G in Jeongseon and giant slalom and slalom in Naeba in February. Chamonix (FRA) is also making a comeback on the men’s tour with a downhill and Alpine Combines.
An increased emphasis next year will be put on the revival of the Alpine Combined as four Alpine Combined races are scheduled on the ladies’ tour and three on the men’s. This will also mean that at the Finals in St. Moritz (SUI) a crystal globe will once again be awarded to the most successful racers in the discipline.
Long-term calendars were also discussed for both ladies’ and men before the meeting was adjourned. The next one will be taking place at the FIS Fall Meetings in Zurich (SUI) in October.
Source: fis-ski.com
