Stakeholders unite for first workshop on Alpine Skiing risk reduction

In a landmark initiative, key stakeholders from across Alpine Skiing gathered in Zurich this week specifically to discuss injury prevention. The first workshop focused on risk management, led by the FIS Athlete Health Unit (AHU) and initiated in collaboration with FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup Chief Race Directors, marked a significant step forward in creating a cooperative approach to mitigate injury risks within the sport. 

The opening session aimed to align all participants on several foundational principles: 

• Unified goal: all stakeholders share the same objective: to reduce risks in Alpine Skiing. 

• Practical solutions: consensus must be reached on practical, realistic measures.

• Holistic approach: both short- and long-term solutions are essential. 

In their remarks, the organizers emphasized that much groundwork had already been laid in this area. Previous surveys conducted in 2010 and 2020 examined perceived risks within the Alpine Skiing community, with results showing consistency over time. Detailed analysis of injury statistics and field observations have now culminated in a robust risk factor catalogue based on injury types. As such, the focus has shifted from diagnosing the problem to outlining actionable solutions. 

Represented stakeholders at the workshop included: 

• Race Directors and Coordinators 

• Former World Cup Athletes

• Coaches 

• Equipment Suppliers 

• National Ski Associations (NSAs) 

• Local Organizing Committees (LOCs) 

• FIS Alpine Executive Board 

The session also featured external observers and experts, including representatives from the Medical Committee, as well as members of the FIS management and of areas such as education and integrity. 

The initial focus was on knee and lower-leg injuries, with a commitment to addressing World Cup and Continental Cup levels. In future sessions, specific measures for younger athletes will be explored. 

The AHU guided the workflow for the group sessions, which aimed to produce draft measures addressing key risk factors such as snow conditions, course maintenance, design, safety, and the competition calendar. Participants were tasked with answering the key questions: what needs to be done, how these actions should be implemented, and who would be responsible for them. 

Michael Lasshofer and Gerald Mitterbauer, from the AHU, expressed satisfaction with the workshop’s outcome: “We are pleased with the engagement from our stakeholders. The small group discussions fostered productive dialogue, which was then reviewed by the larger group.”