Updates from the snowboard cross sub-committee spring meeting 2022

The 2021/22 FIS Snowboard Cross World Cup showcased one of the deepest and most entertaining calendars in recent memory, highlighted by visits to new venues in Zhangjiakou (CHN) - an Olympic test event - a night event in Cortina d’Ampezzo (ITA), and back-to-back races in Krasnoyarsk (RUS).

The addition of Cortina especially is very valuable to the SBX family, as it marks the addition of an exceptionally experienced World Cup organizer who are locked into occupying a long-term place on the calendar. Already Cortina has proven itself to be a special competition, as with the nighttime setting and compelling TV presentation making for an excellent product.

The FIS Junior World Championships had originally been planned to take place in Valmalenco, Italy, though those had to be cancelled due to a lack of snow. Fortunately, the host of the ski and snowboard cross World Cup finals in Veysonnaz (SUI) were able to jump in at the last minute to provide a venue for the 2022 JWCs. Big thanks to the organizer and to Swiss-Ski for giving this opportunity to our next generation athletes!

Snowboard Cross sub-committee:

While no major rule change proposals have been discussed this spring, there was among others some exchange on the topic of TV production and the possibility to make the TV show more attractive to the viewer, although it was confirmed by Infront that TV numbers for SBX are very good and the viewers tend to watch the entire TV show from the beginning to the end.

Also, work on the flour ban for ski and snowboard wax was once again discussed. FIS is prepared to fully enforce the ban at the start of the 2022/2023 winter season. Working with Bruker, a leading manufacturer of high-performance scientific instruments and maintaining a close collaboration with the International Biathlon Union (IBU) through a joint working group, an effective testing method using the Alpha II device was developed. The device provides reliable testing to ensure fluor-free competitions, which will help guarantee fair competitions and a level playing field. The rules regarding the fluor wax ban will be defined at the upcoming FIS Congress, which will then be implemented at the start of the winter 2022/23 season.

Continental Cup:

Last season 10 races took place in 4 different resorts from the originally planned 14 competitions in 5 venues.

Overall, the goal is to improve the quality and level of snowboard cross racing from an early stage on. For the upcoming season, it is planned to have 12 races in 4different venues. The increase of competitions shall give the younger athletes the opportunity to get as much racing experience as possible, before entering the World Cup level.

2022/23 World Cup calendar draft (to be approved by FIS Council):

The calendar for the 2022/23 SBX World Cup season looks promising. Though three venues still need to confirm their events, seven other venues have already confirmed to host SBX competitions, including the season opener at a new venue in Les Deux Alpes (FRA).

For December we look forward to steps in Cervinia (ITA) and Montafon (AUT), while January will see us back in the above-mentioned Cortina d’Ampezzo. February, meanwhile, will kick-off with a stop in Mont-Saint-Anne in Canada.

In late February all eyes will then be on Georgia, where the FIS Snowboard, Freestyle, and Freeski World Championships will take to the slopes of Bakuriani from February 19 until March 6. Snowboard cross World Champs competitions will be going down on March 03, followed by the mixed-team event on March 04.

March will then see the circuit heading to former World Champs venue Sierra Nevada (ESP), before we return to Switzerland once again for the World Cup finals in Veysonaz (SUI).

In total, five mixed-team events are scheduled to be held next season, which will be the most ever seen in one World Cup season as we look to build on the success that the format enjoyed at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games.