Clarification of statements about Schladming and Aspen

FIS refers to wrongfully interpreted statements from President Johan Eliasch regarding the World Cups in Schladming and Aspen and wants to underline the following:

1. FIS must not become victims of its own success. President Eliasch never criticized the World Cup in Schladming as it has been a great event and best promotion for snow sports.

2. FIS is not having races in Aspen because there are less spectators but because FIS is an international federation. It is the federation’s duty to embrace the development of the sport in different regions and to incentivise and support LOCs to organise the best possible competitions while at the same time to reduce the associated environmental impacts – for the benefit of the sport and its athletes.

3. The men’s Alpine team is going to the US twice this season with Beaver Creek in November and Palisades Tahoe and Aspen in February – but not with the same athletes, except very few ones. The November travels are done by the speed athletes, the February travels by the tech athletes. With this arrangement, FIS has actually reduced its carbon footprint compared to last season.

It is the responsibility of FIS to make the sport attractive and to ensure that our calendar is rich enough that our athletes can make a living from the sport, and varied enough to engage the public. It is also our responsibility to do this in a way that is even more environmentally friendly. With the launch of the FIS Impact Programme FIS has recently presented an action plan how the federation will tackle climate change and a roadmap to a more sustainable and inclusive sports eco-system.

FIS will continue to following this path with conviction and dedication.