Pic courtesy of Manuguf
The International Ski Federation (FIS) has created a Ski Cross Working Group composed of experts with a wide range of experience in Ski Cross, Alpine Skiing and Snowboard Cross, with the aim of enhancing safety in Ski Cross racing, widely regarded as the most exciting ski sport on the international calendar at present, under the chairmanship of FIS Council Member Michel Vion.
"It is the continued goal of FIS to work to prevent injuries from occurring in the future, following the tragic accident that claimed the life of Canadian ski cross athlete Nik Zoricic in Grindelwald (SUI) on 10th March 2012. Besides considerable injury prevention efforts undertaken through FIS's Injury Surveillance System, the Ski Cross Working Group will work with the FIS Freestyle Committee and its ski cross advisory group to design, refine, and implement various activities," said Mr Vion.
Measures suggested by the Working group are being implemented immediately as the 12-13 competitive season gets underway.
So far they include a review of the Ski Cross course homologation/certification process; the creation of a new Ski Cross course designer's manual; the publication of a list of Ski Cross course builders for World Cup and World Championship events; the launch of further education for Technical Delegates (TDs) at Ski Cross events and collaboration with Alpine Skiing TD education and the assignment of a course advisor to each World Cup event to assist the Organisers with course preparation.
"Established to work for the development of Ski Cross, the Working Group will seek to define further measures and activities, with an added focus on efforts to leverage cross-discipline expertise in safety matters, notably with Alpine Skiing and Snowboard Cross," said an FIS statement.