FIS Hosts Annual Forum Alpinum To Kick Off Alpine Season

On the occasion of the World Cup Opening in Sölden (AUT), the FIS Forum Alpinum was held at the Freizeit Arena, gathering the ski community to talk about current topics. World Cup Organisers, National Ski Associations representatives, team coaches, media, equipment manufacturers were all present for a full session.

FIS President Gian Franco Kasper took the opportunity to discuss the latest key topics involving the FIS, from preparing for the first-ever World Cup races in China,which will serve as the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games Test Event, election of Milan-Cortina as host of the next edition in 2026 to attracting the next generation of skiers to the slopes.

Additionally, the media was formally introduced to new FIS women’s Race Director Peter Gerdol, who was joined by his colleague on the men’s tour, Markus Waldner, to provide information about the upcoming calendar in addition to clarifying the new parallel and alpine combined formats and regulations.

Then the athletes rightfully took centre stage, beginning with the charismatic Overall World Cup champion Mikaela Shiffrin who brought interesting insights in what the 2019/2020 season will bring. Additionally, last year’s third place Overall finisher Henrik Kristoffersen (NOR) discussed how the Audi FIS World Cup season will look without super star Marcel Hirscher (AUT), who retired over the summer.

The President of FIS Alpine World Cup and World Championships Official Timing and Data Partner, Longines, Walter von Känel took the floor to emphasise the good collaboration the Swiss brand has with alpine skiing and FIS since 1924. He also touched on the importance of the Chinese market and getting winter sports engrained there.

Sarah Lewis, FIS Secretary General gave further insight into the progress being made in China and the involvement of FIS to prepare the Audi FIS Alpine World Cup at Yanqing in February 2020, as well as progressing the development of recreational snowsports and the winter sports industry as such. She also informed the gathered media about the significance of FIS signing up to the United Nations Sport for Climate Action Framework.

Additionally, a full team from Cortina (ITA) was on hand to discuss the details of the Audi FIS World Cup Finals this season, which will serve as the test event for the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships 2021. The new FIS Mobile Game was also introduced for the first time and generated much interest. It will be launched in January of 2020.

The Alpine Forum concluded with the newly introduced “Prix Armando Trovati”. In memory Armando Trovati, of one of the pioneers of ski photography who passed away last year, his two sons Alessandro and Marco introduced the “Prix Armando Trovati” to award the best photo shot on the alpine World Cup during the previous season

n the occasion of the World Cup Opening in Sölden (AUT), the FIS Forum Alpinum was held at the Freizeit Arena, gathering the ski community to talk about current topics. World Cup Organisers, National Ski Associations representatives, team coaches, media, equipment manufacturers were all present for a full session.

FIS President Gian Franco Kasper took the opportunity to discuss the latest key topics involving the FIS, from preparing for the first-ever World Cup races in China,which will serve as the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games Test Event, election of Milan-Cortina as host of the next edition in 2026 to attracting the next generation of skiers to the slopes.

Additionally, the media was formally introduced to new FIS women’s Race Director Peter Gerdol, who was joined by his colleague on the men’s tour, Markus Waldner, to provide information about the upcoming calendar in addition to clarifying the new parallel and alpine combined formats and regulations.

Then the athletes rightfully took centre stage, beginning with the charismatic Overall World Cup champion Mikaela Shiffrin who brought interesting insights in what the 2019/2020 season will bring. Additionally, last year’s third place Overall finisher Henrik Kristoffersen (NOR) discussed how the Audi FIS World Cup season will look without super star Marcel Hirscher (AUT), who retired over the summer.

The President of FIS Alpine World Cup and World Championships Official Timing and Data Partner, Longines, Walter von Känel took the floor to emphasise the good collaboration the Swiss brand has with alpine skiing and FIS since 1924. He also touched on the importance of the Chinese market and getting winter sports engrained there.

Sarah Lewis, FIS Secretary General gave further insight into the progress being made in China and the involvement of FIS to prepare the Audi FIS Alpine World Cup at Yanqing in February 2020, as well as progressing the development of recreational snowsports and the winter sports industry as such. She also informed the gathered media about the significance of FIS signing up to the United Nations Sport for Climate Action Framework.

Additionally, a full team from Cortina (ITA) was on hand to discuss the details of the Audi FIS World Cup Finals this season, which will serve as the test event for the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships 2021. The new FIS Mobile Game was also introduced for the first time and generated much interest. It will be launched in January of 2020.

The Alpine Forum concluded with the newly introduced “Prix Armando Trovati”. In memory Armando Trovati, of one of the pioneers of ski photography who passed away last year, his two sons Alessandro and Marco introduced the “Prix Armando Trovati” to award the best photo shot on the alpine World Cup during the previous season