FIS MEDIA INFO: Cross-Country Skiing - Decisions of the FIS Council at the 45th International Ski Congress

Vilamoura, May 24th, 2006 -- The 45th International Ski Congress is currently underway in Vilamoura (POR). The following items related to Cross-Country Skiing have been approved by the FIS Council at its meeting today:

• The Viessmann FIS World Cup Calendar Cross-Country for the Season 2006/2007 (see  here)
• Approval of the World Cup rules for 2006/2007, including a modification of the rules for the Sprint whereby all final heats will be run with six competitors, instead of four as has been the case in the semi-finals until now. In reality, this means that the two best Lucky Losers in the quarter-final heats will also advance to the semi-finals.

The decision on the organizer of the 2011 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships will be made by the FIS Council on Thursday, 25th May and announced at around 18 CET.

Successor to Peter Petricek (SLO) as Chairman of the Cross-Country Committee will be appointed by the new FIS Council at the end of the Congress, by Saturday, May 27th.

Please also note that according to the ICR art. 219.1, the prize money for the coming 2006-2007 season has already been confirmed by the FIS Council in its November 2005 meeting (approximately 1 ½ years before the applicable competition season). For Cross-Country events the amounts will be, as in the previous season:
• Minimum cash prize for individual events: CHF 40,000,- (divided between 1-10)
• Minimum cash prize for relay events: CHF 30,000,- (divided between 1-6)