FIS Newsflash sat down with Karl-Heinz Lickert (GER) to talk about the Sub-Committee for Rules and Control and the development of Cross-Country Skiing.

How long have you been involved with the FIS Cross-Country Sub-Committee for Rules & Control?

I became a member of the Sub-Committee for Rules and Control in 1990. At the 2004 FIS Congress in Miami (USA), I was appointed Chairman, succeeding Peter Petricek (SLO).

I have always found the tasks and issues we dealt with very challenging and in the position of Chairman I felt I would be able to influence the development of the sport.

What are the main goals of the Sub-Committee?

The Sub-Committee covers four main areas and therefore we have established four Working Groups to deal with the following tasks:

• Updating, development and replenishment of the International Competition Rules
• Development and adaptations of the FIS Points system and rules
• Organisation, education, updating and appointment of Cross-Country Technical Delegates
• Homologation of Cross-Country venues, courses and stadiums

What are the biggest challenges Cross-Country faces from a rules perspective?

The rapid development of Cross-Country Skiing within the last years with new competition formats, more TV presence and bigger public interest definitely brought a great challenge for the Organisers concerning courses and rule adaptations, as well as the education of Technical Delegates.

Presently, the development in classical technique is a challenge, also for the rules and the jury's handling of violations.

How do you see the future of Cross-Country Skiing in the next ten years?

In my opinion, the classical technique is facing difficult times on all levels, not only among elite athletes.

I do hope that we, with the support of our athletes, will be able to find ways to preserve the classical technique. I am convinced that if the athletes, coaches and all responsible persons want to keep the classical technique it will be possible, and I also believe that the public wants it to stay relevant.

You are also a homologation inspector and a course designer. What do these roles entail?

"Homologation" is a process and a system of evaluation which has been established to guide and control the development and upgrade of Cross-Country competition courses.

The main task of a course designer and a homologation inspector is to ensure the best possible courses for different competition levels and formats, which are in accordance with the International Competition Rules, the norms for course design and the natural environment of the venue. Therefore, the designer has to meet the different needs and requirements of different competition formats and, especially at the highest levels, the increased standards and demands of TV production. Furthermore, this person needs to provide the opportunity for a good promotion of the region and naturally the sport.

Source: fis-ski.com