FIS

FIS has named Raimund Plancker its new Chief Race Director for men's alpine skiing. The former Italian national team coach replaces Markus Waldner on November 1, with his first assignment scheduled for the World Cup slalom in Levi, Finland.

Nor-Am downhill and super-G racers must prepare for the 2026-27 airbag requirement. Find Dainese and In&motion ordering contacts, maintenance guidance, speed race dates and the separate cut-resistant pants rule.

A familiar face on men’s World Cup broadcasts, Markus Waldner is stepping down after 12 years as chief race director. Ski Racing Media reflects on the experience his successor must replace.

Cut-resistant pants are now mandatory at every FIS Alpine event. VIX founder Victor Wiacek explains the three-star rule, required coverage and what families need to check before the first race.

FIS is considering major changes to alpine racing, including more frequent World Championships, a long-term World Cup calendar, standardized wild cards and a neutral pathway for Russian and Belarusian athletes.

Former overall World Cup champion Alexandra Meissnitzer has joined FIS President Alexander Ospelt’s senior team as director of strategy and public affairs.

The Chile Winter Series opened with four FIS giant slaloms at El Colorado, but the focus now shifts to La Parva and its World Cup-caliber speed racing.

Every international alpine race course must pass a detailed FIS inspection before competition can begin. Here is how homologation works, what inspectors evaluate and why the process plays a critical role in athlete safety.

Alexander Ospelt was elected FIS president by a single vote at the 57th FIS Congress in Belgrade, defeating incumbent Johan Eliasch 65-64. In his first press conference, Ospelt outlined plans to strengthen Alpine skiing through improved television presentation, greater athlete visibility, increased prize money, and expanded opportunities for smaller nations.

Cash reserves have declined, but the audited financial statements show a more complex picture. FIS remains solvent, continues to distribute millions to national ski associations and athletes, and received clean audit opinions.

Ahead of the FIS presidential election, Ski Racing Media compares Johan Eliasch and Alexander Ospelt on governance, commercial growth, media rights, athlete development, prize money and the future direction of international snow sports.

Alexander Ospelt says FIS does not need a new direction. The presidential candidate discusses governance, transparency, athlete support, National Ski Associations, commercial rights and why he believes greater unity is needed across the federation.

FIS equity declined sharply from its 2023 peak, but the audited financial statements tell a more nuanced story. More than CHF 53 million was distributed to National Ski Associations, prize money increased, athlete opportunities expanded and Olympic participation grew from 78 to 88 nations. This analysis examines where the money went and what it may mean for the future of skiing and snowboarding.

Johan Eliasch says the work at FIS is far from finished. In an exclusive interview with Ski Racing Media, the FIS president discusses media rights centralization, global growth, athlete involvement, technology, and why he is seeking another term leading international snow sports.

FIS says its development programs expanded significantly during the 2022-26 Olympic cycle, reporting a 141% increase in participants, nearly 20,000 on-snow development days, and major growth in global snow sports initiatives.

The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) and the Kelly Brush Foundation announced a new partnership focused on improving alpine ski racing safety standards while expanding access and opportunity in Para Snowsports worldwide.

FIS has confirmed five candidates for president and 24 for Council seats ahead of the 2026 Congress in Belgrade, where elections will take place.

It’s been ten years since Bryce Astle and Ronnie Berlack’s tragic accident in Sölden. BRASS Avalanche continues turning loss into impact—educating skiers worldwide, expanding into Europe, and urging everyone to think snow safety before chasing powder.