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FIS summer on-site inspections have started

Jul 29, 2020·Cross-Country
© OC Toblach

The FIS technical staff in the different disciplines have started travelling to select summer inspections to prepare for the World Cup season 2020/21. Over the past months prior to the in-person inspections, many meetings have taken place online to connect with the Organisers, National Ski Association and event rights holders.

Cross-Country Skiing – Italian venues

Successful summer inspections were also held by the Cross-Country team at the Italian Tour de Ski venues Toblach and Val di Fiemme. The FIS staff and the Organising Committee leaders met with representatives from FISI, Infront, FIS Marketing AG and Swiss Timing. The main focus of the meetings was on the TV production set-up.

“Both LOC’s are well prepared for the new challenges with the ongoing pandemic and ready to tackle them,” FIS Cross-Country Event Coordinator Sandra Spitz said. “Each of them has prepared a detailed protection concept including the input from the FIS event guidelines and are constantly adapting it to the current situation.“

Currently only few site inspections are on schedule for the Cross-Country team, with the majority of the LOC meetings being held online.

Ski Jumping – Planica (SLO), Zakopane (POL)

FIS Ski Jumping Race Director Sandro Pertile, FIS Coordinator Sepp Gratzer and newly-minted FIS Cup Coordinator Christian Kathol visited the Organisers of the FIS Ski Flying World Championships in Planica (SLO) last week.

This World Championships were postponed from March to December 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic and now details about the temporary floodlight system for the event had to be clarified.

Another inspection is planned with the Organising Committee of the FIS Nordic Junior World Ski Championships in Zakopane (POL) in August.

Alpine – Jasna (SVK)

One of the first inspections was in the Slovak resort of Jasna, led by Women's Alpine Race Director Peter Gerdol. During the visit, the delegation checked on the preparations for the Audi FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup in Jasna the 6th and 7th of March 2021 with a giant slalom and slalom races.

The discussion with the Slovak Organisers focused on the implementation of applicable Covid-19 measures in addition to the broadcasting and television production, marketing, and other sport matters.

"We are delighted that the FIS representatives came here to Jasná. We already have experience from organising an event of this level, but we do not want to decline in quality. We want to take the World Cup to an even higher level. We have the basics, now we will integrate some corrections after the FIS inspection," said the Head of the Organising Committee, Matej Hulej.

„We considered it very important to come here in person because the contact with the Organisers is essential. Right after the course inspection, we had a meeting where we went deeper and talked about the expectations for the upcoming season," said FIS Women's Alpine Race Director Peter Gerdol.

Jasná will also have appointed an expert who will closely watch the situation around Covid-19 " A Covid-19-manager will be a part of the Organising Committee; he will communicate with authorities, FIS, and will watch the situation development from all sides.

Ski and Snowboard Cross – Montafon (AUT), Arosa (SUI), Innichen/San Candido (ITA)

The recently appointed joint Race Directors Cross Klaus Waldner and Uwe Beier held their first summer inspections for the upcoming season.

The inspections kicked-off with Montafon (AUT), which will once again host both ski and snowboard cross during one weekend this year: December 10th -12th. 
The Organisers are planning a side event in the valley for Saturday night after the second competition day. The concept will be adapted, according to Austria's Covid-19 regulations and measures.

The inspection then continued to Arosa (SUI). The Organisers stated they are confident to host a safe and successful night sprint event for the ski cross athletes. A specific plan is already in place to stage the World Cup with all necessary measures implemented. The traditional night race will take place on December 15th.

The tour rounded out with the final stop in Innichen/San Candido (ITA) where the hosts of the 12th edition of the Audi FIS Ski Cross World Cup assured to be ready and prepared for the challenges. Back-to-back races are slated to take place on December 19th– 20th.

"The pandemic doesn't make the job very easy for us, but we are a very experienced Organiser and we are preparing various possible scenarios for the organisation of the World Cup. We need to keep in mind that there is a possibility of some restrictions and we will need to adapt in every way.  We are fully aware of how the event may change because of Covid-19, but we will be ready to host a great event with its new name - AUDI FIS Ski Cross World Cup 3 Zinnen Dolomites", Helmut Senfter, the OC President states.

The Cross Race Directors will continue their summer inspections in the following weeks, wherever possible in person and additionally several online meetings with Organisers where travel restrictions are in place.

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