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New FIS Regulations for 35m GS Skis

There is lots of talk at the moment about the new GS rules proposed by FIS which includes a new 35 metre radius for GS skis. FIS say these rules are based on research conducted by the University of Salzburg. Should FIS interfere with equipment design or concentrate their efforts more on hill safety?

Read what Ted Ligety thinks in his blog. Here is a small excerpt.

For the past 17 years, GS ski radius hasn’t changed much. In 1996, World Cup racers were skiing on skis with a similar radius to today- with a 28 m radius. Three years earlier, in 1993, Rainer Salzgeber, the Head Race Manager who raced in the 90’s, said he raced World Cup on skis with 32-meter radius. To give you context of the times, “Schlinder’s List” and “Sleepless in Seattle” were in theaters and the first President Bush was handing over the keys to the White House to the newly-elected Bill Clinton. You would have to go back to the 80’s to find 40 meter radius skis. 

Full article: http://www.tedligety.com/

This is small quote from Beni Raich’s blog (I hope I translated it correctly!)

For me security is the most important, which means reducing the aggressiveness of the materials by using longer, narrower skis and a larger radius. I am in full agreement with the conclusions drawn by the FIS and its extensive surveys, tests and analysis. The fears that there was a throwback to the “stone age of the sport” is, one I can clearly refute. I expect that it will change nothing for the spectators.

Full article in German: http://www.raich.at/benni_raich/news.html

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