Updates from the Alpine Committee Online Meeting

On Wednesday 12th May the members of the Alpine Committee gathered together in an online meeting to discuss the main points in preparation for the next season.
As usual when heading into an Olympic season, there were no major rule changes. However, some important topics were discussed and the calendars for the following season were presented.

2021/22 World Cup Calendars
Calendars for the season 2021/22 were presented with a fully balanced programme.
For the first time in a while, both genders will have 18 speed and 18 “tech” races with two Parallel events: Lech/Zürs (AUT) - confirmed after a successful race in 2020 - and a second Parallel race at the finals in Courchével-Meribel (FRA). There will be no Alpine Combined events, except for the one scheduled at the Beijing Olympics.
Both calendars welcome back the North American races to the programme, while most other venues are confirmed. Levi will again play host to two women’s slalom races and
towards the end of the season, the women will be heading to Lenzerheide with a Super-G and a Giant Slalom scheduled in the Swiss venue.

For the men, Wengen (SUI) and Kitzbühel (AUT) will host identical programs, with two Downhill and one Slalom on the menu. Garmisch-Partenkirchen will welcome the World Cup tour after the Beijing Winter Olympic Games at the end of February, this time staging two slaloms. Finally, before heading to Meribel-Courchevel for the World Cup Finals, giant slalom specialists will stop in Kranjska Gora (SLO) for a double giant slalom race.

Women's 2021/22 Calendar Proposal (still to be approved)
Men's 2021/22 Calendar Proposal (still to be approved)
 
Starting order for speed disciplines
Four nations presented five different proposals for a new starting order for speed disciplines, with the aim of making it fairer, while creating a TV-friendly product. All proposals have been tabled and it was agreed to establish a working group, where the proposing nations will come up with a unified proposal.
The new proposal will be ready for the spring meetings in 2022 and will take into account TV and marketing related aspects, while ensuring athlete’s interests are also met.

Finally, the use of cut-resistant underwear, as well as Dainese airbags will be recommended for the coming season and dicussions to make them mandatory as of the 2022/23 season will be held.

The calendars and all other proposals are subject to the approval of the FIS Council on 2nd June.