In the Austrian Ski Federation, anger is once again growing over the organization of the FIS calendar. “It is frustrating that we are in the same situation as in previous years. The FIS is not learning from the past and is only making loose promises again,” ÖSV Secretary General Christian Scherer told the APA. The reason for the stop in the Alpine schedule is the controversial Matterhorn races .
“We are in good contact with FIS Secretary-General Michel Fillon, who makes it credible that the Zermatt/Cervinia issue is hampering planning for the entire season,” Scherer explained. The Italian-Swiss co-production has so far failed to premiere on European soil in November. Many voices are calling for the races to be postponed, for example, until March, but organizers object that it will be difficult to accommodate the delegation accompanying the World Cup when winter tourism is at its peak.
The prestige project of the head of the Islamic Salvation Front prevents setting dates
Now it seems that the prestige project of the head of the Islamic Salvation Front, Johan Elias, is preventing the dates of the remaining World Cup races for the 2024/25 season. “The argument or excuse given by the FIS is that they are coordinating with the Swiss and Italian ski associations regarding Zermatt/Cervinia. Obviously there will be a meeting there in mid-February about what to do next,” Scherer said. “It cannot be.” This also prevents all other events. This is unacceptable for the professional structure.”
There must be an agreement guaranteeing the organizers of the Matternhorn races for five years. “A document that no other place has ever received, and it is indeed highly questionable. This makes the whole process more difficult,” Scherer complained. “The FIS left a request from the APA in this regard unanswered.”
Solden is planning again for October
ÖSV is seeking to find out “whether the premiere of Hochgurgl is so good that it will still be on the calendar,” Scherer said. For Sölden, the opportunity to change history seems more or less closed. “Sölden is willing to discuss the date, but it will most likely not be possible to set a date in November 2024 because the quarter-finals are now blocked,” Shearer said of the host country for the World Cup opener, which is controversial because of the time. Of the year. Ötztalers will prepare to keep the October date for 2024. “The longer we delay security planning, the more likely this scenario is to occur.”
In Semmering – it will be Lower Austria's turn as it will host the World Cup again in a two-year cycle with Linz at the turn of 2024/25 – infrastructure improvements must be made on the advice of the FIS. The slope is very narrow at the start of the slalom, and the finish area needs to be adjusted. “The plans are in place, and they are good. If it goes through, Semmering will definitely be retained. But they have to do their homework now,” Shearer said.
The Secretary-General announced holding talks in this regard with the political leadership in Lower Austria during the Kitzbühel week. With the Streif and other notable Austrian landmarks such as Schladming and Flachau, ÖSV plans to continue with the traditional dates. “The classics – with all love – you won't be able to attack,” Scherer said.
