Officials discuss speed racing development at Zurich workshop

Organizing committee members from National Ski Associations, World Cup and European Cup tours from six countries along with FIS staff members met in Zurich Wednesday to discus the future of speed racing development at the first workshop of its kind.

The meeting focused on the pipeline of development from FIS and junior entry-level Alpine speed racing to the World Cup circuit. A key issue discussed at the meeting was the increasing demands of hosting a men’s downhill race. The cost and resources needed to meet the safety requirements, complete course preparation and plan event organization can be huge. A FIS report on the meeting put the cost of hosting a men’s speed race in the several hundreds of thousands of euros range. Though demands are high, FIS officials stressed the importance of quality downhill racing below the World Cup level to ensure the future of the event at the elite ranks.

Also established at the meeting were plans to coordinate organizational efforts and competition calendars. Similar future meetings will focus on more long-term development plans for young speed racers.

“We are very pleased by the willingness of most key players to attend today’s meeting and engage in the discussion with constructive feedback and ideas. We will already see the results of this first meeting about the calendars for next season’s European Cup for both men and ladies,” said meeting organizer Markus Waldner, Continental Cup Coordinator and FIS Race Director on the men’s European Cup tour.