Larger calendar high on the agenda for alpine skiing

“So far the calendar looks very good. We are looking forward to a season where the teams have the opportunity to develop further, especially ahead of 2017, the next World Championships year and the 2018 Paralympics.”

Markus Walser, Chairperson of the IPC Alpine Skiing and Snowboard Sport Technical Committee (STC) has spoken of the efforts being undertaken to add more competitions in more countries to the alpine skiing calendar.

In a wide-ranging interview following the conclusion of the 2014-15 ski season, Walser also said that the STC was determined to involve National Paralympic Committees and National Federations more closely than ever before in a bid to continue developing the sport.

“Looking forward to this year, we have a very positive strategy from the countries and the STC to develop our calendar well in advance and to have everyone more involved in the process” Walser said ahead of a gathering of representatives from 29 countries in Bonn, Germany.

“We are looking to involve countries a lot more than we already do in organising the sport, having a much greater input into rules and regulations etc.

“We will hold, in addition to the Sport Forum held every two years, annual gatherings with the feedback generated being used to guide the decisions made by the STC. This will benefit us as well because it will help to involve the countries more in developing and promoting the sport.

“So far the calendar looks very good. We are looking forward to a season where the teams have the opportunity to develop further, especially ahead of 2017, the next World Championships year and the 2018 Paralympics.”

Reflecting on the last season, which included a successful World Championships in Panorama, Canada, featuring 130 athletes from nearly 30 countries, Walser also said that the focus in 2015-16 would be on improving the depth of the women’s field and youth programmes.

“Developing the women’s field is a priority and has been a challenge we have faced for a long time, and we have made some positive steps forward in that area and for younger skiers.

“But we are looking at what we can do to assist the countries to ensure they have programmes below the national level which continue to feed elite programs.

“With continued good participation, not only will we ensure a good Games in 2018, but in 2022 and 2026 moving forward.”

The medal events programme for PyeongChang 2018 was recently signed off by the International Paralympic Committee Governing Board, with alpine skiing maintaining its 30 events. That followed the first official visit by sport representatives to the slopes that will host the 2018 Winter Paralympic Games.

Anja Skutelj of Croatia and Brad Serwa of Canada were also confirmed as the Technical Delegates for PyeongChang 2018 by the Governing Board.

The medal events for snowboard were also increased from two to 10, and the rise of the sport is something which Walser discussed in a separate interview which will be published at Paralympic.org.

The 2015-16 IPC Alpine Skiing calendar will be published shortly.