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Ski-Mountaineering World Championships 2012 to Austria

25 May 2008

At the recent Management Committee meeting, the ISMF (International Ski-Mountaineering Federation) announced changes to the rules and organisation of Ski-Mountaineering competitions. It was also decided that Schladming, Austria will organise the 2012 World Championships.

The new Sports Project for Ski-Mountaineering competitions was presented to the meeting by the Technical Director, André Dugit, and the changes were approved and applauded by all the members. The changes, which are especially important with regards to the World Cup, will be introduced before the 2008/2009 season.

The main changes are:

  • The team races will be longer (over 2.4km) and more difficult. The goal is to make them different from the individual races and again make it really necessary to have a team-mate.
  • The World Cup will be ONE World Cup with individual races at the beginning of the season (December 2008!) and team races at the end of the season. Classical races like Pierramenta or Tour de Ruitor will be part of the World Cup.
  • The Youth World Cup will have three races, one of which will be a team race.
  • The ISMF will give a “quality label” to well organised races. Only the “labeled” races will be able to apply to host a World Cup event in the future.
  • Introduction of a New World Ranking system, which will be “live” (taking into account results of the last 365 days). All official and “labeled” events will be considered. The importance of the race will depend on the amount of top racers participating (similar to the FIS points system).
  • A manufacturers' pool will be created, so that they can work together with the Ski-Mountaineers to develop equipment. The aim is that in the near future only non-modified equipment will be allowed.  
  • A Ski Mountaineering Forum will be held every year at the end of October gathering all institutions, staff and persons related to ski mountaineering competitions. Any institution or company may apply to organise this forum.

The Management Committee also made the descission on where the World Championships 2012 shall be held. There were two candidates: Claut, Italy and Schladming, Austria. The Technical Director confirmed that both candidates were very strong and higly qualified technically, with regards to organising skills and financially. Finally, after a secret ballot vote, Schladming won by only one vote majority.

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