Michel Vion, FIS Secretary General, underscores the intricacies of creating the World Cup season calendar. Balancing weather, environmental impact, local interests, venue readiness and broadcasting schedules poses significant challenges.
FIS considers various factors, including snow conditions, community availability and broadcast schedules. Alpine Skiing poses unique challenges due to reliance on public slopes, necessitating coordination with local governments and tourist boards to avoid peak seasons.
Peter Gerdol, Alpine Skiing Chief Race Director, emphasizes the importance of multi-year planning. Aligning calendars with local stakeholders ensures optimal scheduling. Gerdol notes, “We must adapt to natural conditions and external events.”
Sustainability factors into calendar decisions. FIS minimizes environmental impact by avoiding peak tourist seasons and optimizing travel. However, compromises arise due to conflicting demands.
Alpine Skiing’s outdoor nature complicates scheduling. Public slope availability, sunlight timing (e.g., Wengen’s late sunrise) and safety considerations influence start times. International event clashes are also avoided.
The 2024/25 Alpine Skiing calendar sparked questions: early start in Sölden, Austria; extensive travel; US-based finals. Gerdol acknowledges trade-offs, prioritizing fairness, safety and logistical feasibility.
FIS collaborates with local organizers, athletes and broadcasters to address concerns. Adaptability is crucial, as unforeseen circumstances arise. Vion emphasizes, “Someone will always be unhappy.”
As FIS continues refining calendar planning, lessons learned will inform future decisions. Balancing competing interests remains paramount. Transparency and communication facilitate understanding among stakeholders, ensuring Alpine Skiing’s continued success.
