Is the FIS boss turning the alpine skiing circus upside down?

revolution planned

Created: 04/06/2022, 10:01 am

By: Andreas Knobloch

FIS boss Johan Eliasch ponders changes.

© IMAGO / ZUMA Wire

Is the new FIS boss Johan Eliasch turning the alpine skiing circus upside down and causing a revolution?

One discipline in particular is affected.

Munich - In recent years, the topic of safety in the alpine skiing world has been a frequently discussed one.

It was about airbags and slopes, about jumps and injuries.

Now another thought gets the concentrated attention.

Is the possible revolution of skiing looming?

Especially the giant slalom should be affected.

The popular winter sport of skiing could soon change fundamentally.

Alpine skiing: Major changes already discussed in October 2021

Even before the start of the 2021/2022 season, there were reports of huge changes being discussed in FIS committees.

Those responsible are said to have met and talked about serious changes.

For example, about the abolition of the Super-G.

The traditional competitions downhill, giant slalom and slalom should be in the foreground.

Also, in October 2021, officials were reportedly discussing some form of promotion and relegation, with only 24 professionals competing in the elite league, not well over 30 as is currently the case.

There was also talk of shorter races because of the TV money and the attractiveness.

Alpine skiing: Swiss broadcaster SRF reports on the giant slalom revolution

Now there are new reports that the giant slalom is particularly affected.

Namely, the competition is to be held in just one round, which would correspond to the original information about shorter races.

The Swiss broadcaster SRF reported on this on March 28th.

As is so often the case in sport, the background is the financial aspect.

Higher revenues with supposedly higher voltage.

Eliasch also has the Asian market in mind.

The Olympic Games in Beijing showed that races there are not well received by the athletes from a moral point of view.

It will be exciting to observe whether and which changes the FIS pushes through.

The race calendar is set to follow sometime in early April 2022.

Breaking with tradition is often a delicate matter.

In Formula 1, for example, there is clear criticism of the many races and the bloated racing calendar.