Last week was a busy time for the FIS in Cancun, Mexico, as the organization hosted critical meetings and congratulatory award ceremonies. Everything from anti-doping initiatives to World Cup calendar confirmations were discussed, and the FIS Council approved several major changes to international ski racing rules.
The much anticipated ski radius change was accepted by the alpine executive board and the Council. For the 2017-18 season onward, male competitors at all FIS levels will have to race with GS skis that conform to the following standards:
Minimum ski length: 193 centimeters (-5 cm tolerance only in FIS-level competitions)
Minimum radius: 30 meters
Maximum width under binding: < 65 millimeters
Maximum width at the top: < 103 mm
Change is also on the way for the start order in speed races. The Austrian proposal was accepted by the alpine executive board, and additionally the FIS Council, which might disappoint some athletes, particularly Lindsey Vonn.
For the 2016-17 season onward, the starting order for men’s and women’s speed races (downhill and super-G) will be determined as follows:
The men’s alpine combined from Kitzbuehel was officially canceled and replaced by a super-G. The men’s races between Christmas and New Years’ Day will take place in Santa Caterina, Italy, and a men’s alpine combined will be scheduled at that venue as well. Finally, the ladies will try out four new venues: Killington, USA; Kronplatz, Italy; Jeongseon, South Korea – a test event for the 2018 Winter Olympic Games – and Squaw Valley, USA.
Anti-doping rules have been a hot topic worldwide, and the FIS did not shy away from discussing the issues. The use of use oxygen tanks, hypoxic chambers and cryogenic chambers or similar medical equipment is now prohibited during FIS World Championships, World Cups and other competitions registered in the FIS calendar.
In response to allegations of manipulation to doping samples at the laboratory during the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic Games, the FIS awaits the outcome of the WADA Investigation led by Richard McLaren before deciding whether further action is required by the sport organization.
Finally, FIS SnowKidz named the annual award winners, and the lone American program nominated – National Winter Sports Education Foundation – earned third place behind programs from Finland and Sweden, which took first and second place, respectively.
From Gabbi Hall/SkiRacing
The much anticipated ski radius change was accepted by the alpine executive board and the Council. For the 2017-18 season onward, male competitors at all FIS levels will have to race with GS skis that conform to the following standards:
Minimum ski length: 193 centimeters (-5 cm tolerance only in FIS-level competitions)
Minimum radius: 30 meters
Maximum width under binding: < 65 millimeters
Maximum width at the top: < 103 mm
Change is also on the way for the start order in speed races. The Austrian proposal was accepted by the alpine executive board, and additionally the FIS Council, which might disappoint some athletes, particularly Lindsey Vonn.
For the 2016-17 season onward, the starting order for men’s and women’s speed races (downhill and super-G) will be determined as follows:
- Athletes 1-10 on the World Cup Start List (WCSL) will select between bibs 1-19 (odd numbers)
- Athletes 11-20 on WCSL will be drawn between bibs 2-20 (even numbers)
- Athletes 21-30 on WCSL will be drawn between bibs 21-30
The men’s alpine combined from Kitzbuehel was officially canceled and replaced by a super-G. The men’s races between Christmas and New Years’ Day will take place in Santa Caterina, Italy, and a men’s alpine combined will be scheduled at that venue as well. Finally, the ladies will try out four new venues: Killington, USA; Kronplatz, Italy; Jeongseon, South Korea – a test event for the 2018 Winter Olympic Games – and Squaw Valley, USA.
Anti-doping rules have been a hot topic worldwide, and the FIS did not shy away from discussing the issues. The use of use oxygen tanks, hypoxic chambers and cryogenic chambers or similar medical equipment is now prohibited during FIS World Championships, World Cups and other competitions registered in the FIS calendar.
In response to allegations of manipulation to doping samples at the laboratory during the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic Games, the FIS awaits the outcome of the WADA Investigation led by Richard McLaren before deciding whether further action is required by the sport organization.
Finally, FIS SnowKidz named the annual award winners, and the lone American program nominated – National Winter Sports Education Foundation – earned third place behind programs from Finland and Sweden, which took first and second place, respectively.
From Gabbi Hall/SkiRacing
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