Alpine Safety Primary Topic at FIS Calendar Meetings

PORTOROZ, Slovenia — Alpine racing safety was the main issue at the International Ski Federation’s (FIS) bi-annual calendar meeting just concluded Sunday, but basically, there was not much on the table created in the form of real controversy.

Also, it appears the FIS is driftng away from volunteers to staff, similar to the transition enacted by the USSA in the mid-90’s. The result could be more meaningful deliberation and less meaningless and often heated exchanges common in the past.

“Athlete safety is the most important thing we must look at,” said Bernhard Russi, Chairman of the all important Alpine Executive Committee. “While accidents declined this year, we still have too many.”

A number of safety items were considered and several adopted by the alpine committee. All are subject to the approval of the FIS Council, which meets in Ljubljana, Slovenia Tuesday, June 7.

Athletes competing in FIS speed events will now need to wear a FIS approved downhill helmet, which will have its own safety definitions, in the vernacular a G value of 230. As has been the case with skis, boots and speed suits, downhill and super G helmets are now subject to be checked by the FIS or its representatives. Athletes who do not have the prescribed helmet, which will have a specially-coded label, will not be allowed to compete in any FIS sanctioned speed event.

Homologated giant slalom panels were also approved. All FIS sanctioned races will have to use the new safety enhanced panels. In addition, the committee approved the use of one turning gate in GS.

The major topic of  the safety discussion was skis and side cut. It was the opinion of the two World Cup directors, Gunther Hujara and Atle Skaardal, that skis were among the major contributors to accidents on the World Cup circuit. Last season the women’s circuit lost five competitors to injury, the men’s circuit lost three. The World Cup directors had offered to open up the existing regulation to allow skis with less side cut but after a long debate, the alpine executive committee voted not to open the regulation for the upcoming season, saying, “it did not have enough proof.”  The issue will be taken up again in Zürich and one can be sure that skis for the 2012/2013 season will be subject to a new regulation.

Back protectors are now allowed to be worn with shoulder straps or as part of a vest. FIS regulations had allowed only a waistband prior to this ruling.

The FIS also hosted a World Cup organizers’ conference over the weekend. Some 80 members of various organizing committees joined the 300 FIS representatives already present. Among those addressing the conference was Andrew Judelson, USSA’s vice president for revenue and marketing.

On a lighter note, The Alpine Executive Committee approved long-term FIS representative, Walt Evans (USSA National Competition Director), as an honorary member of the Rules and Control Committee. Evans, has been a fixture with the committee for over 15 years.