FIS MEDIA INFO: FIS implements a variety of measures to enhance safety in Ski Cross

Oberhofen, Switzerland, 21.11.2012//--At the FIS Congress in May 2012, the Council appointed Council Member Michel Vion to chair a newly-appointed Ski Cross Working Group and underlined the commitment of FIS to safety in the sport.

“It is the continued goal of FIS to work to prevent injuries from occurring in the future, following the tragic accident that claimed the life of Canadian ski cross athlete Nik Zoricic in Grindelwald (SUI) on 10th March 2012. Besides considerable injury prevention efforts undertaken through FIS’s Injury Surveillance System, the Ski Cross Working Group will work with the FIS Freestyle Committee and its ski cross advisory group to design, refine, and implement various activities,” stated Michel Vion.

The Ski Cross Working Group is composed of experts with a wide range of experience in Ski Cross, Alpine Skiing and Snowboard Cross. In a holistic process that included a comprehensive review of rules, specifications and procedures, a number of measures designed to enhance the organisation and safety at ski cross events will be implemented from the outset of the 2012/13 FIS Freestyle Ski Cross World Cup season, including:

- Appointment of Joel Franitch (FRA), a qualified Alpine, Freestyle and Snowboard expert as FIS Freestyle Skiing Assistant Race Director for Ski Cross

- Review of the Ski Cross course homologation/certification process

- Creation of a new Ski Cross course designer’s manual

- Publication of a list of Ski Cross course builders for World Cup and World Championship events

- Launch of further education for Technical Delegates (TDs) at Ski Cross events and collaboration with Alpine Skiing TD education

- Assignment of a course advisor to each World Cup event to assist the Organisers with course preparation.

Established to work for the development of Ski Cross, the Working Group will seek to define further measures and activities, with an added focus on efforts to leverage cross-discipline expertise in safety matters, notably with Alpine Skiing and Snowboard Cross.

The FIS Freestyle Ski World Cup 2012/13 in Ski Cross will commence in Nakiska (CAN) on 7th-8th December 2012.

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About FIS

FIS is the governing body for international skiing and snowboarding, founded in 1924 during the first Olympic Games in Chamonix, France. Recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), FIS manages the Olympic disciplines of Alpine Skiing, Cross-Country Skiing, Ski Jumping, Nordic Combined, Freestyle Skiing and Snowboarding, including setting the international competition rules. Through its 115 member nations, more than 6’500 FIS ski and snowboard competitions are staged annually. Specific initiatives are undertaken by FIS to promote snow activities as a healthy leisure recreation, notably for the young.

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