Oberhofen, 06.11.2010 /FIS/ -- The FIS Council held its Autumn Meeting as is traditional at the FIS Headquarters in Oberhofen, Switzerland. It dealt with several important items on its agenda and the main decisions include the following:

Decisions directly related to ski sports

FIS World Cup calendars 2010/2011 to 2013/2014

The Council approved minor modifications to the FIS World Cup Calendars for the 2010/2011 season which were proposed by the respective Technical Committees, the final versions of which are available on the FIS website.

FIS World Championships and Junior World Championships

For the Freestyle and Snowboard World Championships 2011 in Deer Valley (USA) and La Molina (SPA), respectively, the Council confirmed the addition of slopestyle to the program. The final schedules for both Championships will be published on the FIS website shortly.

The FIS Congress 2004 in Miami decided that as from 2011 prize money would be paid out at the FIS World Championships with the same purse as the current minimum for World Cup in the respective discipline, whilst 50% is covered by the Organizing Committee and 50% by FIS. Today, the Council decided on the following mode for distribution:

Prize money is paid out to the top six competitors in individual competitions and the top three teams in team competitions, who are the competitors participating at the official medal ceremony for the respective competition:

Individual competitions
1st 40%
2nd 25%
3rd 15%
4th 10%
5th 6%
6th 4%

Team competitions
1st 50%
2nd 30%
3rd 20%

In the case of Ski Jumping for ladies, since the World Cup prize money for ladies has not yet been determined, the amount will be CHF 32'500 for Oslo 2011, which is the same level as for Nordic Combined.

The Council approved the following dates for the 2015 FIS World Championships:

FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in Vail/Beaver Creek (USA)
From Tuesday, 3rd February to Sunday, 15th February 2015

FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Falun (SWE)
From Wednesday, 18th February to Sunday, 1st March 2015

New organizers of the FIS Junior World Ski Championships were appointed as follows:

FIS Snowboard Junior World Championships 2012 in the Sierra Nevada (SPA)
FIS Alpine Junior World Ski Championships in Le Massif, Quebec (CAN)
FIS Nordic Junior World Ski Championships 2014 in Val di Fiemme (ITA)
FIS Telemark Junior World Championships 2011 in Hafjell (NOR)

Olympic Winter Games and Youth Olympics

As far as the program for the Olympic Winter Games is concerned, the IOC Executive Board (EB) meeting in Acapulco decided that it is looking favorably at the inclusion of the FIS events: ladies' Ski Jumping, Freestyle Ski half-pipe, Freestyle Ski slopestyle, Snowboard slopestyle. Before taking a final decision, the IOC EB said it would like to consider the outcome of the respective World Championships during the winter season in 2011. The Council acknowledged that FIS is pleased that four event requests are seen favorably by the IOC Executive Board but at the same time very disappointed that out of all proposed new events on the Olympic Winter Games program across all sports, the only one excluded from the positive list is the Alpine Team Event. This view has already been expressed officially to the IOC with the request to view also the Alpine Team Event at the upcoming FIS Alpine World Ski Championships.

The IOC Olympic Program Commission analyzed all the requests put forward by the International Federations based and submitted its findings to the EB. The key positive factors included whether the changes would increase universality, gender equity and youth appeal, and in general add value to the Games. Other considerations included the cost of infrastructure, and the impact on the overall quota and the number of events.

World Cup prize money for 2011/2012

The minimum values of prize money for the 2011/2012 World Cup season were confirmed to remain the same as for the current season. For the new FIS Ski Jumping World Cup for ladies that will be introduced, the FIS Ski Jumping Committee has been requested to review the proposal taking into consideration a regulation for travel expenses to support the National Ski Association's costs.

Anti-Doping

At its last Meeting in Antalya in June 2010, the Council sanctioned the Russian Ski Association following serious concern of the FIS regarding the situation of the Russian Ski Association with the high number of doping cases and lack of adherence the FIS Anti-Doping Rules.

Prior to the Council Meeting in Oberhofen, the Russian Ski Association submitted a detailed report about the various activities and actions it has undertaken in the meantime and the Council acknowledged the positive steps taken to address the many problems in a truly meaningful way. Support from the highest levels of the Russian governing authorities through important anti-doping measures in sports have paved the way for a significant number of changes have been made including changing team and other officials, an operational anti-doping administration, comprehensive testing programs in and out of competition, as well as anti-doping education for both athletes and officials. The Council underlined that this approach of the Russian Ski Association must be a new beginning and it will monitor progress whilst supporting the on-going work.

Additionally, minor amendments to the FIS Anti-Doping Rules were approved in order to ensure they are up to date with practices.

Rules for the FIS Disciplines, official and committee member appointments

Various modifications to the regulations and appointments in each of the FIS disciplines were made by the Council, on proposal of the respective FIS Technical Committees. The most notable were the approval of rules for the FIS World Cup Ski Jumping for Ladies and the introduction of Nordic Combined Team Sprint as a new Team Competition format.

Administrative Decisions

Finances

Despite the instability with the currencies, the FIS financial position can be classified as relatively satisfactory. National Ski Association financial support and special distribution were credited in September, the FIS operating expenditure is in line with the budget. However, there is presently a significant loss on the valuation of the financial investments due to the currency situation, notably the US dollar.

Council and Committee Membership

Following the admission from Council Member Giovanni Morzenti that he has been convicted by a court in Cuneo, Italy of extortion, the Council decided in agreement with Giovanni Morzenti to provisionally suspend him as a Member of the FIS Council until such time as the case is concluded. Furthermore, the Council thanked him for his open explanation of the situation and wished him best wishes for his appeal.

The Council confirmed that Italy would be entitled to send a representative as observer to future Council Meetings, without vote.

The Council clarified that the position of the attendance of the President of the host National Ski Association at a Council Meeting (who is not an elected Council Member) is only extended for the Council Meetings in the respective host nation.

The Council nominated a number of replacement Committee Members, but in the case of the Committee for European Questions, decided to table to nomination of the chairman and members until spring 2011 after establishing the Committee's terms of reference.

The Council confirmed the appointment of Vice-President Janez Kocijancic as President of the Marc Hodler Foundation.

Bring Children to Snow Campaign - FIS World Snow Day

The Council approved the concept of the FIS World Snow Day that will be carried out as from late January 2012. Discussions are taking place with the National Ski Associations, Organizing Committees as well as partners including the ski industry, ski resorts, tourism organizations, international ski instructor's association as well as some government representatives.

FIS Congress 2014

After evaluating candidacies from Canada with Vancouver, Great Britain with Aviemore, India with Delhi, Morocco with Marrakesh, Slovenia with Portoroz, Spain with Barcelona, Mexico with Cancun, Riviera Maya the Council elected Spain with Barcelona at the Hotel Rey Juan Carlos I as host of the International Ski Congress 2014.

Affiliation of new members

The Council provisionally accepted the membership applications from the British Virgin Islands and Haiti, subject to the final approval of the FIS Congress in 2012.

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About FIS

Founded in 1924 during the first Olympic Games in Chamonix, France, the International Ski Federation (FIS) aims to promote the sport of skiing and snowboarding and directs the development of all ski and snowboarding activities world-wide. FIS succeeded the International Ski Commission (CIS) that was established during the first International Ski Congress held on 18th February 1910 in Christiania (later Oslo), Norway. 2010 marks the 100th anniversary of international skiing and sees the sport embarking into its second century.

FIS administers the Olympic disciplines of Alpine Skiing, Cross-Country Skiing, Ski Jumping, Nordic Combined, Freestyle Skiing and Snowboarding, including setting the international competition rules. With the help of its 110 member nations (one currently suspended), it stages more than 6'000 ski and snowboard competitions annually. FIS also makes recommendations for recreational skiing and snowboarding in the interest of all and promotes play in the snow as a healthy leisure activity for children and the youth. For more information, please visit www.fis-ski.com.

FIS press release
06/11/2010