2024-03-26 07:25:00
“What assessment do you draw from this winter?
The season was special, that’s obvious, but also hard to manage. There were cancellations, postponements, it was complicated but you have to analyze what happened. Despite what may have been said in the press or by certain people, the calendar is not responsible for everything. There was sometimes too much snow, sometimes too much wind, sometimes not enough snow, sometimes rain, so not always for the same reason. Climate change is here, and it’s hard to find solutions.
Are you worried regarding the injuries to many headliners?
The injuries have nothing to do with each other, we mix everything up, the calendar does not trigger the injuries. But we need to anticipate things more, have more room to maneuver to find alternative solutions, to adapt. No longer adding races to already dense speed weeks, it’s almost a done deal. It must also be recognized that reruns are often not good races. Doing that on a Thursday or Monday morning, both sportingly and economically, doesn’t have much value. You have to be more rational, not exceed a certain number of races.
“Let’s be honest, a Ski World Cup following March 25 doesn’t interest many people anymore”
Is the FIS ready to postpone the season?
Start later? We have already postponed Sölden (Austria) by a week this year, we can think regarding delaying by another week, but that is not going to change the face of the world. You have to find the snow where it is, especially in November. We’re not going to invent anything. Shift the ending? Look, it’s already the end of March, it’s complicated in Central Europe. The organizers fought like crazy in Saalbach (Austria) so that these finals might take place. Go away ? Maybe in North America, Scandinavia. But let’s be honest, a Ski World Cup following March 25 doesn’t interest many people anymore, including you in the media.
What is your opinion on the installation of airbags?
That’s good, even if some athletes don’t really agree. It’s a bit inconvenient, less aerodynamic, they say, but if everyone has it, it’s no longer a problem. Concerning anti-cutting suits, we are still discussing, everyone must have access to them at a reasonable price, we must also train local organizers and staff in cutting these suits in the event of an accident. Let’s not rush. »
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