FIS News In Brief. Week 2 October 17

Quick Hits: Longines presented with special anniversary bib

In conjunction with the FIS Technical Committee meetings last week in Zurich (SUI), long-term Alpine Skiing partner Longines took the opportunity to visit and meet FIS and the Chinese Ski Association soon to be future Organisers of FIS Alpine Ski World Cup competitions. During the visit Juan-Carlos Capelli, Longines Vice President and Head of International Marketing was presented with the special 50th anniversary edition FIS Alpine Ski World Cup jubilee starting bib in recognition of the essential role played by Longines as partner and official timekeeper of the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup throughout its history.

“Longines partnership with the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup and World Championships provides our events and Organising Committees with the highest quality timing and data services to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the competition timing and scoring. The engagement from Longines to promote Alpine Skiing is a major factor in the outstanding collaboration with the company” commented FIS Secretary General Sarah Lewis.

Cortina 2021 to leave a lasting legacy

Flavia Roda, President of the Italian Winter Sports Federation and FIS Council Member, along with Alessandro Benetton, President of the Cortina Foundation 2021 met with the media on 10th October 2017 to discuss the season ahead and preparations for the 2021 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships.

Speaking about Cortina 2021, Benetton commented: “The Championships is a way to leave a lasting heritage in a town like Cortina, the pearl of the Dolomites. With the significant support from the Government Authorities, we have been able to build a new, very technical and interesting course. Turin with the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in 2006 and Milan with the Expo in 2015 have become better places. We hope to be able to do the same with Cortina.”

4th FIS Course Builder & Designer Clinic underway

More than 60 experts met in South Tyrol this week to discuss practical and theoretical insights regarding ski and snowboard cross course building.

The clinic was hosted by official FIS partner Prinoth at its state of the art factory in Sterzing (ITA).

This time the focus was on the design of creative and fun courses for the different requirements of both the World Cup tours and for courses that are open to the public in many resorts around the world.

Following the meetings which saw numerous presentations, designers, builders as well as World Cup coaches and officials, the group went into the practical details on the Stelvio glacier.

FIS Alpine launches video series “Behind the Results”

With its new video series “Behind the Results”, FIS Alpine takes a close look at the background and experiences of some of the world’s best alpine skiers. In the first episode, Austria’s tech star Bernadette Schild talks about her career, her older sister Marlies and her passion for the sport.

Sweden’s Alpine Ski Team increases promotional efforts

Sweden’s Alpine Ski Team recently announced its increased efforts to promote the team across multiple platforms in the upcoming season. With a proper focus on Social Media, new communications staff was hired to continue creating compelling content including the already popular ”På bar mark” series where fans can meet athletes in their home environment and a new podcast entitled "Snøbodden" to establish a better relationship between fans and the athletes, and ultimately to animate the general public to try out winter sports.

New branding for Swiss-Ski

In time for the Olympic season, the Swiss Ski Association unveiled its redefined corporate identity to reflect a fresh, young and modern design. While the Swiss-Ski logo remains unchanged, the website was redesigned, reflecting the new key visual “Swiss-Ski Mountain”.

Royal Belgian Ski Federation elects new President and Secretary General

The Royal Belgian Ski Federation held its General Assembly on 18th September 2017 which featured elections of the President, Secretary General and Treasurer.

Christophe Lemeire, member of the FIS Alpine Skiing Rules and Control Committee was elected as new President while Lode Nolf and Martine Dom will fulfil the roles of Secretary General and Treasurer. All were unanimously elected to their roles for a two-year term.

World Masters Cross-Country Ski Association holds General Assembly

The World Masters Cross-Country Ski Association held its General Assembly from 21st-24th September 2017 in Beitostoelen (NOR) which will host the 2019 edition of the Masters World Cup.

One of the main agenda items was the election of Cogne (ITA) as host of the 2020 edition of the Masters World Cup.

Meanwhile, the Organisers of the Masters World Cup 2018 from Minneapolis (USA) presented their plans and status of preparations.

For the first time, as of the Masters World Cup in 2018, there will be an additional age category for ladies and men above the age of 90.

Besides, the annual gathering focused on the reports of the President and representatives of each member nation, including the financial report of the 2016/17 season.

While in Beitostoelen, the delegates from 20 nations were given a tour of the venues and facilities.

The next General Assembly will be held in October 2018 in Cogne.