FIS and Longines extend partnership for five years
Mar 30, 2021·Alpine Skiing
The International Ski Federation (FIS) is pleased to announce that it has signed a long-term extension to its partnership with Swiss watch brand Longines. The partnership will now run through the 2025-26 season.
As the Official Timekeeper, Longines will receive extensive branding and provide advanced timing and data handling technology for the entire Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup and the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in 2023 and 2025.
Longines has been a long-term and loyal partner of FIS, having been the Official Timekeeper since 2006. The last contract extension between FIS and Longines was announced in 2018.
FIS Director Philippe Gueisbuhler said: "FIS is delighted that the partnership between Longines and the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup will continue for another five years. We have a long history with Longines and it is great to continue to partner with such a respected company. This new agreement represents significant value for FIS and all the organisers of the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup events.”
Longines CEO, Matthias Breschan, said: “Longines is pleased to renew its partnership with FIS. Alpine skiing has been part of our brand’s history since 1924 and we are delighted to continue our active role in the development of this sport. Besides, we are proud to have, within the Longines Family, some of the best ski athletes: namely Mikaela Shiffrin, Marco Odermatt, Loïc and Mélanie Meillard, and Clément Noël. They are the embodiment of the sporting principles of Longines – precision and determination on the slopes with engaging personalities – perfectly representing the brand’s elegance.”
Annually, around 80 competitions are staged world-wide on the men and women’s World Cup tours, which requires an experienced global partner equipped to handle this massive task.
In addition to being the Official Timekeeper, Longines plays an active role in the development of the next generation of Alpine ski racers. Through its Longines Rising Ski Stars prize, up-and-coming, young, World Cup athletes have the opportunity to earn support from the watch brand. Longines will also provide the full service as Data and Timing partner at the FIS Alpine Junior World Championships.
Longines has a long history of technical expertise within the field dating back to 1924, when the brand timed a military race in its home town in Saint-Imier, Switzerland. Today, the brand plays a pivotal role in developing innovative technology used on the slopes to time and record the athletes’ performances during the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships and the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup.
