The Audi FIS Alpine Word Cup soon under way
Photo: © Agence Zoom
The legendary Alpine resort Sölden in Austria is hosting the Audi FIS Alpine World Cup opening once again. The opening event will take place in the beautiful Tyrolean Alps on October 17–18. Because of the ongoing global pandemic, preparations for the season have been especially challenging for athletes, event organizers and the International Ski Federation (FIS). Still, everyone involved remains hopeful that, by following health regulations and acting responsibly, it will be possible to organize exciting competitions while protecting the health and safety of all participants. The highlight of the alpine season will be the 2021 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy.
Calendar changes
Several adjustments have been made to the race calendar to ensure the safe execution of competitions. National health regulations in each organizing country have been taken into account when planning events. To limit interaction, some events will feature only women’s or men’s races. For example, the World Cup in Levi, Finland, will host two women’s races instead of the traditional combination of women’s and men’s races. Speed and technical disciplines have also been separated where possible. There will be no competitions in the USA this season.
Minimum requirements to validate a World Cup event
FIS will evaluate in advance whether a World Cup event can take place. If, at the preliminary entry deadline five weeks before the event, at least seven of the top ten nations from the 2019/20 Nations’ Cup rankings are permitted to travel to the organizing country, the event may be validated as a World Cup competition. In exceptional cases, the FIS Event Task Force Group will make the final decision.
Who will take the first crowns this year?
A year ago in Sölden, spectators witnessed a surprise victory in the women’s World Cup opener when New Zealander Alice Robinson claimed her first win ahead of Mikaela Shiffrin. On the men’s side, France dominated with Alexis Pinturault and Mathieu Faivre taking the top two positions. Who will come out on top this year? Italians, Austrians, Norwegians, Swiss or Germans? Stay tuned at https://www.fis-ski.com/en/alpine-skiing
Halti and FIS – 12 years of cooperation
Halti and the International Ski Federation (FIS) will begin their twelfth consecutive season together. The partnership started in 2008 in alpine disciplines, and today Halti supplies clothing for FIS staff in Alpine Skiing, Cross-Country Skiing, Ski Jumping, Nordic Combined, Freestyle Skiing and Snowboarding. Halti provides technical and functional clothing for FIS technical staff, officials, FIS Council members and office personnel. The clothing is FIS-branded and designed to meet the practical requirements of each role. The visibility and brand awareness generated by the partnership are important parts of Halti’s international growth strategy.
More information: https://www.fis-ski.com/en
