Ski Racing - September 19, 2011

expanded crash zones, dangerous course sets, better ways to prep
snow conditions so that they are homogeneous throughout the race-
hill. ... FIS shouldn’t muddle around in ski equipment regulations. They
should let the people who know ski equipment best; the ski compa-
nies, continue to develop better and more forward thinking equipment
with safety as a top priority. ... If regulations are needed then the rules
should come straight from the ski companies not FIS, since they have
a better perspective on the direction of the sport and safety.”
According to the FIS men’s alpine director, Guenter Hujara, racers had
been encouraged to submit concerns and suggestions since the begin-
ning of the study. Approximately 400 reports, interviews and opinions
have been taken into account and shared with the University of Oslo.
“It’s not that we did something without considering what the athletes
think,” he said. “I really, really understand the position and concerns of
the athletes.”
Buechel said there were requests from the FIS and through the ski
companies to solicit athlete input on the prototype skis at this past sea-
son’s World Cup Finals. “The FIS and the University of Salzburg (and
University of Oslo) was asking the ski companies to please convince
their best racers to test those skis at the end of the season, to get valu-
able information from them,” Buechel said. “In the end, almost none of
the racers was willing to do that. Since there was a lack of information,
the FIS had to make a decision. A major decision.”
Hujara suggested some athlete responses now forthcoming could be
in self-interest. “If you are an athlete presently ranked high in the points
or a leading athlete like Ligety,” he said, “it cannot be in your interest
that something is changed which may cause a real change in behavior
or skills in alpine ski racing.”
U.S. Alpine Director Patrick Riml has a different take. “Ted showed
incredible adaptation skills to adapt to the skis the way they are now,”
he says. “He is able to adapt better than anyone else... That’s why
he’s where he is now. I don’t see it being an issue. ... It’s not like any-
one will get a real advantage over him. I see no reason he can’t do that
again.”
Lindsey Vonn was among the handful of top athletes who did not sign
the protest. “I don’t know what their research showed and I have never
skied on the lengths and radius they are proposing, but I would think
they would have the desired effect to have us go slower,” she says.
“The new GS radius [compared] to what we’re seeing now is a huge
difference. I feel like I’m pretty good at testing. With Head’s help we will
be able to find good ski, but I think every athlete is different. The smaller
athletes may not have the mass to turn the longer skis.”
Buechel, for one, believes the rules may change again before imple-
mentation in 2012-13. “These decisions aren’t final yet,” he said. “The
FIS Congress starts in a few weeks. Nothing is 100 percent decided
yet. There will be more discussions.”