FIS race director Markus Waldner visits Val Gardena - Interview

Mr. Waldner, how did the inspection go? Markus Waldner: The inspection went well. Minor adjustments were made here and there, but no major interventions on the slopes were necessary. What is important is that something happens every year.

How do you look back on the races last December? MW: One must not forget what was achieved in 2015 to bring the two races off. That was a small miracle. Despite the warm temperatures, the racing conditions were perfect, just like in 2014. The organizer deserves great praise for this. Unfortunately, what was achieved the year before is often quickly forgotten in the World Cup circuit.

What was crucial for the races to take place? MW: The races could only take place as planned because the right work had been done over the last ten years. The lift company has invested in new technologies that enable perfect snow production even at high temperatures. This has now paid off. So if you take the right steps, you can also tackle climate change in ski racing.

What does the Val Gardena experience mean for the Ski World Cup?

MW: Val Gardena has always given the FIS the guarantee that it will be able to hold races even under the most adverse conditions. That's why I often use Val Gardena as an example when talking to other organizers. Some renowned races were canceled last winter. This could have been avoided if early and decisive investments had been made in new technologies in order to bring the production of machine snow up to date. As a result, the organizers will be upgrading for the coming season. Cancellations hurt economically and also reduce the value of the tour.

What impact did the Val Gardena races have on television? MW: With 195 million viewers, ratings were higher than ever before. We noticed that the Val Gardena races appear in the analyzes among the downhill races in third place behind Kitzbühel and Wengen. This is huge and speaks for the smooth organization and the high quality standard.

On another topic: How will the new starting order affect the Val Gardena races? MW: The top stars will choose interesting starting numbers based on the weather conditions in Val Gardena. This will also affect television ratings. Because of the sun's rays, the route backwards becomes faster and faster. In other downhill classics, athletes usually choose lower numbers. In Val Gardena it can also be higher and so the interest of the commentators and the television audience will remain high.

What future do the fast disciplines of downhill and super-G have? MW: The FIS currently has several ideas in mind. These will first be discussed with the organizing committees, then reviewed by the committees and approved by the FIS board. However, these changes will not be reflected in the 2020/21 calendar at the earliest. I can't say more about it yet. The ski racing product will definitely be more interesting and hopefully appeal to new audiences.

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FIS race director Markus Waldner visits Val Gardena - Interview

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