Decisions of the FIS Council Fall 2023

The FIS Council held its Fall meeting online on Wednesday 25th October and dealt with a full agenda, including items such as the appointment of technical officials, reports from future major events and proposals from the FIS Technical Committees. The main decisions of the online Council meeting are as follows:

FIS World Cup calendars 2023-2024

All FIS World Cup Calendars for the upcoming 2023-2024 season were approved by the Council. The calendars can be found on the FIS website. Additionally, the Council acknowledged the mid-term calendars through the 2025-2026, which are subject to the outcome of the discussions about the centralisation of media rights.

FIS World Championships – Future Hosts

At its previous meeting, the Council extended the deadline for applying to host the 2029 FIS Freestyle Ski, Snowboard and Freeski World Championships until 30th September. FIS has now received one application from Zhangiakou (CHN) to host the Championship, which was approved and added to the three Alpine applicants and one Nordic candidate for 2029. The Council will vote for the 2029 World Championship hosts at the next Congress this Spring.

The deadline to apply to host the FIS Para Alpine, Para Nordic and Para Snowboard World Championships 2029 was extended to 30th April 2024.

FIS Games 2028

The Council was informed that FIS has received interest from three candidates to host the first edition of the FIS Games in 2028. The formal application is due by 1st November 2023 at which point the full list of candidates will be announced. The FIS Games will see multiple FIS disciplines being staged during a two-week period in the same region as a highlight event during the non-Olympic and non-World Championship season.

Future Olympic Winter Games and World Championships

Reports were received from the 2024 Youth Olympic Winter Games in Gangwon (KOR) and the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Cortina-Milano (ITA). Additionally, as widely reported, the IOC decided at its most recent Session to appoint the host of the 2030 & 2034 Olympic Winter Games together. FIS has expressed its support for the double awarding of the Winter Games given the sustainability aspects involved.

Reports were also received from the hosts of the future FIS World Championships who have been elected through 2027. Additionally, reports were given about the preparations for all assigned FIS Junior World Championships.

FIS World Junior Ski Championships

The Italian Ski Federation together with Chiesa in Valmalenco (ITA) was appointed to host the Junior World Ski Championships Moguls & Aerials 2024. Additionally, the FIS Junior World Ski Championships 2024 Park and Pipe will be staged in Livigno (ITA)

Technical Committees

All updates to the International Competition Rules (ICR) proposed by the FIS Technical Committees were approved. A more detailed summary of the proposals from the committees was published following the Autumn meetings on the FIS website under each discipline.

Fluor Wax Testing Update

As previously communicated on 22nd March, a fluor wax ban will be fully implemented at the start of the upcoming 2023-2024 winter season. FIS is committed to banning flour products used in ski preparation given the health risks and environmental concerns connected to fluorine waxes and stands fully behind the testing procedure in place for the upcoming season.

Helmet Advertising Regulations

FIS will enforce the existing advertising regulations for helmets for the upcoming season. Freeski and Snowboard Park & Pipe athletes will adhere to a separate rule for the upcoming season only. Following the 2023-24 season, all advertising helmet regulations will be reviewed.

Russia-Belarus Participation

The current FIS policy, which does not allow the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials at FIS events, will remain in effect until further notice.

Anti-Doping Update

The Council received updates on both National and International level doping cases.

Para Athlete Representative in Athletes’ Commission and FIS Council

Ben Tudhope (Para Snowboard) was approved as the representative for Para Snowsports on the Athletes’ Commission as well as in the FIS Council. The nomination for FIS Council is subject to approval by the FIS Congress 2024.

Honorary Committee Members

Two people were granted Honorary Committee Membership status: Hans Grogl, for the Sub-Committee for Alpine Technical Delegates and Savehshemshaki Issa (IRI) for Grass Skiing.