24/05: Comunicate from ISMF's MC meeting: New Sports Project approved - Austria will hold the 2012 World Championships

The ISMF Management Committee approved enthusiastically he new sports project presented by the Technical Director, Mr. André Dugit. Important changes are introduced for 2009, especially in the World Cup. The MC Committee as well elected in a very balanced and difficult election the final candidate for the World Championships 2012: finally Austria (Schladming) won.

The Management Committee hold a very productive meeting, where important decision where taken. The Technical Director, Mr. Dugit, presented the new Sports Project for ski mountaineering competition, which was approved by unanimity and applauded by all members.

The main lines are:

- The team races will be longer (over 2.400m)and more difficult than until now, with the aim to difference them more from the individual races and get back to the real need of a team-mate.
- The World Cup will be ONE World Cup with individual races at the beginning of the season (December 2008!) and teams races at the end of the season. Classical races like Pierramenta or Tour de Ruitor will be part of the World Cup.
- Youth World Cup team will have 3 races, one of which will be a team race.
- ISMF will give a “quality label” to the races with a good quality. Only the “labeled” races will be able to apply in the future for a World Cup event.
- New World Ranking, which will be “alife” (taking results of last 365 days). All official and “labeled” will be considered. The importance of the race will depend on the amount of top racers participating (similar to FIS points system).
- A manufacturer’s pool wil be created in order to work together for the development of the equipment with the clear aim of allowing in recent future only not modified equipment.
- A Ski Mountaineering Forum will be hold every year at the end of October to meet all institution, staff and persons related to ski mountaineering competition. Any institution or company may apply for organizing this forum.

The Management Committee discussed as well about the candidates for the World Championships 2012. Two very strong candidates were applying: Claut (Italy) and Schladming (Austria). The Technical Director confirmed that both candidates were very strong and had a high quality, technically, in organizing skills and financially. Finally, after a secret ballot voting, Schladming won for only 1 vote advantage.

The ISMF will present officially all his changes and new projects, as well as the final World Cup calendar for 2009 and the Regulations 2009 in the Outdoor Expo in Friedrichshafen. The conference will be hold on Saturday 19th of July at 12am and will be open to public and media.

Font: theuiaa.org