Information about a piece of news titled FIS introduces new Alpine equipment specifications
FIS introduces new Alpine equipment specifications
Intoduction
During the past several seasons FIS has laid down an enormous amount of work to reduce the risk of injury and improve safety. As a part of this new equipment specifications are implemented ahead of the 2012/2013 season.
The work on safety and injury reduction has been led by the FIS Alpine Committee and the Alpine Technical Equipment Working Group.
The FIS Injury Surveillance System was set up in 2005 in cooperation with the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Centre.
As a part of this project the University of Salzburg, together with institutions from Davos and Lausanne, focused on the three main injury risk factors for Alpine ski racing; course setting/speed, snow conditions and equipment (combination of ski, binding, plate and boot).
Manufacturers «on board»
The equipment project has, among other things, consisted of development of new prototypes of skis with support from, and in close cooperation with, ski manufacturers.
A little over a year ago FIS, the ski manufacturers and the University of Salzburg sat down and defined the specifications in terms of radius, length, standing height and ski plates with an aim of a safer sport.
Several prototypes of downhill and giant slalom skis have been built, and last season recently retired WC-racers tested these prototypes.
New rules to be introduced
As a result of this testing new equipment rules will be introduced in the 2012/2013 season. The changes will affect the downhill, super-G and giant slalom disciplines.
This new specification implementation will apply at World Cup and European Cup level. As far as Continental Cups and other FIS level races are concerned, an implementation tolerance will apply in 2012/2013; The men will be allowed to use ladies’ skis, whilst the ladies will have a tolerance of minus five centimeters in their ski length.
To learn more about the equipment specifications changes, click here.