Ski mountaineering competitions leave UIAA

Print this story Email to a friend

International Ski mountaineering competitions, which include the World Cup and World Championship, will no longer be organised through the UIAA.

The International Ski Mountaineering Federation ISMF, which was formed in February as a continuation of the Ski Mountaineering Council of the UIAA, has decided not to apply to become a unit member of the UIAA.

According to UIAA Articles of Association, a unit member is an "international competition federation with its own juridical personality" that acts "in the spirit of, and in accordance with, the statutes of the UIAA". A unit member would also be represented by the UIAA in dealings with the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

After a unanimous recommendation at the founding ISMF meeting in February the UIAA and ISMF Presidents developed an agreement for UIAA unit membership which included all the requests of the ISMF, and also the UIAA stipulation that the new federation must commit to be compliant with IOC and WADA regulations. The proposed agreement was approved by the UIAA Executive Board, but rejected by the ISMF Management Committee. The Plenary Assembly of the ISMF voted on October 16 by 10 to 8 against applying for such membership. 

Instead, the ISMF will now work towards independent recognition from organisations such as the IOC, the General Association of International Sports Federations and the World Anti-Doping Agency.

Ski mountaineering as a recreational sport,  also known as ski touring, will continue as a popular activity for many of the UIAA's members and be supported by the UIAA.

The UIAA will remain a committed member of the Olympic family, continue to govern the International Ice climbing Competitions and be recognised by the IOC as the international federation for mountaineering and climbing.