"No Studies" - New FIS Rule Draws Criticism
The FIS mandates a maximum weight for skis – a move that hasn't gone down well with some manufacturers and US star Breezy Johnson.
A newly introduced FIS rule has stirred discontent among some World Cup athletes.
Specifically, it concerns the maximum weight for skis. For men, downhill skis may not exceed a total of 10.6 kilograms, and 10.4 kilograms for women. In giant slalom, the limits are 10.2 and 9.8 kilograms respectively. The background to this: The FIS hopes to achieve more safety through this limitation.
Stöckli, Head, and Rossignol use ski models that already met the new requirements last season, while Atomic and Salomon will have to make adjustments to some of their skis.
Rossignol and Atomic are skeptical
Among ski manufacturers, the new rule is met with skepticism. Rossignol race director Stéphane Mougin told "Blick" that he is not convinced the limits would impact safety: "There are no studies to prove this."
It's about the distribution of weight – which should mostly be directly under the feet – and not the total weight itself.
Atomic Race Director Christian Höflehner also states that solid facts are needed before implementing such a complex change. Before the weight of skis can be further reduced – which is the FIS's plan – it must first be determined whether this truly contributes to safety.
Criticism from Johnson
Sharp criticism of the rule change came from US Olympian Breezy Johnson. The downhill racer weighs more than 80 kilograms. She therefore needs heavier material to achieve sufficient stability, according to the Atomic athlete.
