FIS Nordic Updates

Forum Nordicum Convenes In Seefeld

The 2018 Forum Nordicum, the traditional meeting of the ‘Union of Nordic Ski Journalists’ which is part of the AIPS (‘Association de la Presse Sportive'), was staged this week in conjunction with the Final Inspection for the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 2019 in Seefeld (AUT).

One of the highlights of the two days of meetings, presentations and different activities was the FIS Day, which was held yesterday. FIS President Gian Franco Kasper and FIS Secretary General Sarah Lewis provided nearly 60 Nordic journalists with information and updates on FIS activities, future World Championships, the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games and Anti-Doping matters.

In addition, the journalists received in depth presentations from the three FIS Nordic discipline Race Directors, who informed the gathered media about technological and sports developments. Of particular interest were the discussions about the development of ladies’ Nordic Combined, reports about a new Swiss Timing Ski Jumping motion sensor and the measures being taken to preserve the classical technique in Cross-Country.

All three Nordic Disciplines also discussed their World Cup season highlights. The Four HillsTournament will be the peak of the Ski Jumping calendar, while Nordic Combined will continue to grow the Triple, which will be held outside of Seefeld for the first time in Chaux Neuve (FRA) another traditional location for Nordic Combined, due to the World Championships also being staged in the Austrian resort. Finally, Cross-Country will organise its 13th edition of the Tour de Ski.

The evening before the FIS day the Forum Nordicum members announced that four-time Olympic champion Dario Cologna (SUI) together with Kamil Stoch (POL) were named the “Ski Kings of Winter 2017-18”. Cologna impressed with over 15 km of gold last winter Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang, his fourth overall victory in the Tour de Ski and winning the legendary Holmenkollen race in Oslo. Stoch enjoyed a massively successful season, most notably jumping in a league of his own during the Four Hills Tournament, where he earned all four victories to become only the second athlete in the 66 years history to achieve this feat.

It was the 39th edition of the Forum Nordicum.

Norway Bans Fluorine Based Wax In U16 Categories

The Norwegian Ski Association Cross-Country Committee has decided to ban fluorine based wax in U16 categories at its autumn meeting in Oslo this past weekend.

"This is a definite step for everyone who loves Norwegian Cross-Country skiing. We hope Cross-Country Norway will respect the fluoride ban, as the ban is based on trust,” said Torbjørn Skogstad, chairman of the Norwegian Cross-Country Committee.

The prohibition will be subject to testing and testing as the prohibition does not have consequences and there will be no consequences for individuals or clubs if the ban is violated as the decision is based on trust, but the decision applies from the 2018-2019 season and includes fluorinated gliding wax products.

There will be sampling before starting in some competitions this winter. The results of these tests will be communicated to the current club after the tests are analysed.

Seefeld Gets Ready With Final Inspection

The site inspection, meetings and presentations are complete and now it is action time for the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 2019, as Seefeld (AUT) was given the green light by the FIS Coordination Group following the Final Inspection on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Nearly 80 participants were in attendance for the Final Inspection including representatives from the 2019 Local Organising Committee and Austrian Ski Federation, City of Seefeld, FIS, Infront and host broadcaster ORF. In addition, delegations from the next two FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Oberstdorf (GER) 2021 and Planica (SLO) 2023 were present in conjunction with the FIS Transfer of Knowledge programme.

The full two days kicked off on Tuesday afternoon as the delegation undertook a lengthy  walk through of all the venues and sports facilities in Seefeld. Construction of the stadium andcross-country tracks was nearing completion just in time for the first snow to fall. In the city, much of the construction work has been accomplished, with the newly-renovated train station fully operational and just a bit more work on the streets left to complete.

On Wednesday, the entire group moved indoors where a full update was provided by the Seefeld 2019 team. It was clear from the opening words that there is much momentum and enthusiasm within the organising team. With more than 100,000 tickets already sold, there is huge interest in the upcoming FIS Nordic World Ski Championships at both the Cross-Country and Nordic Combined venues, located in Seefeld, in addition to the Ski Jumping competitions in Innsbruck at the traditional Bergisel stadium, host of the annual Four Hills Tournament.

It was the eighth Coordination meeting for Seefeld 2019, and the most important with more than eight hours of meetings detailing all the final plans for the Championships. No stone was left unturned as updates were provided in every area of hosting the World Championship from marketing to volunteers to technology and transportation to name just a few of the many aspects presented.

"Seefeld is fully ready to deliver an excellent World Championship in February and March,” said FIS President Gian Franco Kasper. "The Organisers have worked to ensure not only top conditions for athletes, teams, media and visitors, but to also ensure that there is a defined and active legacy for the entire region from hosting the World Championships. I was especially heartened to see the ticket sales status with more than three months until the Opening Ceremony as a good atmosphere on site is always one of the key elements to a memorable World Championship."

Secretary General Sarah Lewis: “From an operational perspective for Seefeld 2019, the logistics that were tested during last season’s FIS World Cup competitions have now been optimised and there is a highly dedicated organising team in place. With strong support from the local, regional and national authorities alongside the stakeholders and championship partners, all main elements are in place to deliver outstanding FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 2019 in Seefeld in a few months.”

The FIS Nordic World Ski Championships are expected to showcase athletes from more than 70 nations with a worldwide television audience and an on-site media and broadcast group of more than 1,000 accredited journalists. The Championships kick off 118 days from now on 19th February.

For more information on the 2019 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships, please visit www.seefeld2019.com