New FIS Statutes in Vancouver 1985

From 27 May-1 June 1985, the annual FIS Congress took place in Western Canada. The usual meetings took place in the usual format – but at this gathering, something important was decided, when FIS voted for new statutes stating that the organization is a federation to which national associations belong.

The most important decision regarding ski sport itself was the confirmation of the Super G as a fourth Alpine discipline at World Championships and Olympic Games from 1987 onwards. Additionally, the rules on cross-country poles were altered after experiments with a long pole and the elimination of the single pole technique. The free technique was now acknowledged as a proper technique in cross-country, following the breakthrough at the Worlds in Seefeld 1985.

Advertising and sponsorship rules were also agreed between all stakeholders, with two advertising spaces permitted on racers’ helmets.

Attended by a total of 91 delegates from 36 countries, the Congress confirmed the Olympic programme for Calgary, and revealed that seven bids were on the table for the 1992 Olympic Winter Games, from Bulgaria, Germany, France, Italy, Norway, Sweden und the USA.

Meanwhile, the FIS budget was increasing. Between 1983 and 1985, it amounted to 7.2 million Swiss Francs (as of today, 7.4 million Euro/8 million USD). Approximately 3 million came from the World Championships and Olympic Games, 1.9 million from the World Cups and 1 million from calendar fees. The successful Council headed by President Marc Hodler and Vice Presidents Anatoli Akentjev (USSR), Yoshiro Ito (JPN), Hannu Koskivuori (FIN) and Bud Little (USA) was given another two-year term. With its leadership team strong and its finances healthy, FIS was ready for the challenges ahead.