Inspections Begin Ahead Of Next World Cup Snowsports Season

4th August 2020

Last modified on May 14th, 2021

After numerous online meetings, FIS inspection teams have begun to travel over the summer to continue their preparations for next season. 

They include trips to Italy, Poland, Slovenia, Slovakia, Austria and Switzerland.

Cross-Country Skiing – Italian venues

Inspections have taken place at the Italian Tour de Ski venues of Toblach and Val di Fiemme. 

FIS staff and the Organising Committee leaders met with representatives from the Italian Federation and others with the main focus on the TV production set-up.

“Both LOCs (local organising committees) are well prepared for the new challenges with the ongoing pandemic and ready to tackle them,” FIS Cross-Country Event Coordinator Sandra Spitz said. 

“Each of them has prepared a detailed protection concept including the input from the FIS event guidelines and are constantly adapting it to the current situation.”

Ski Jumping – Planica, Slovenia; Zakopane, Poland

FIS Ski Jumping Race Director Sandro Pertile, FIS Coordinator Sepp Gratzer and FIS Cup Coordinator Christian Kathol have visited the organisers of the FIS Ski Flying World Championships in Planica.

The World Championships were postponed from March to December 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Another inspection is planned with the organising committee of the FIS Nordic Junior World Ski Championships in Zakopane in August.

Alpine – Jasna, Slovakia

The inspection was led by Women’s Alpine Race Director Peter Gerdol. 

During the visit, the delegation checked on the preparations for the Audi FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup in Jasna on 6th and 7th of March 2021 with a giant slalom and slalom races. 

The discussion with the Slovak Organisers focused on the implementation of applicable Covid-19 measures in addition to the broadcasting and television production, marketing, and other sport matters. 

“We are delighted that the FIS representatives came here to Jasná. We already have experience from organising an event of this level, but we do not want to decline in quality,” said the Head of the Organising Committee, Matej Hulej.

“We want to take the World Cup to an even higher level. We have the basics, now we will integrate some corrections after the FIS inspection.”

Jasná has also appointed an expert who will closely watch the situation around Covid-19.

Ski and Snowboard Cross – Montafon, Austria; Arosa, Switzerland; Innichen/San Candido, Italy

The recently appointed joint Race Directors Cross, Klaus Waldner and Uwe Beier, held their first summer inspections for the upcoming season.

The inspections kicked-off in Montafon, which will once again host both ski and snowboard cross during one weekend this year, on 10th to 12th December.

In Arosa, the organisers said they were confident of hosting a safe and successful night sprint event for the ski cross athletes. It will take place on 15th December.

The tour rounded off with the final stop in Innichen/San Candido where back to back races are due to take place for the 12th edition of the Audi FIS Ski Cross World Cup on 19th and 20th December. 

“The pandemic doesn’t make the job very easy for us, but we are a very experienced Organiser and we are preparing various possible scenarios for the organisation of the World Cup,”  said Helmut Senfter, the President of the Organising Committee.

“We need to keep in mind that there is a possibility of some restrictions and we will need to adapt in every way.  

“We are fully aware of how the event may change because of Covid-19, but we will be ready to host a great event with its new name – AUDI FIS Ski Cross World Cup 3 Zinnen Dolomites.”

International Ski Federation. Image © FIS

“Make no mistake, we are working on several alternative scenarios, depending on the global situation when the World Cup season begins, but our goal is to carry out our ‘Plan-A’ calendar with as few changes as the pandemic, and Mother Nature, will allow,” said Gian Franco Kasper.

FIS plans for snowsports competition next winter