FIS President Gian Franco Kasper does not want to take sides in the dispute between the organizing committee of the Lauberhorn races and Swiss-Ski, which has been simmering for almost three years. He urges the two parties, who are in a legal dispute before the International Sports Court (CAS), to “sit down at a table and finally find a solution”.
The differences have existed for far too long, said the FIS President. He would not know the matter in detail “nor the amount involved”. It is known that Wengen from the national ski association (Swiss Ski) wants more money from the central marketing pot, the current amount is two million francs (1.86 million euros). The organizers in the Bernese Oberland have run out of reserves after the last difficult years.
Kasper sees Swiss Ski in a “good position in terms of strength ratio. But Wengen is just as strong because of its tradition and charisma”. In the conflict, he warns that there is a lot-less situation. “I appeal to Swiss Ski and the Wengener OK that they work together to find a solution.”
Lauberhorn descent is not in danger
Kasper described the fact that the men’s Alpine Ski World Cup races no longer take place in Wengen and could migrate to Zermatt, as was rumored, as “illusion”. “The FIS certainly does not want to lose Wengen as a World Cup venue. The Lauberhorn is one of our largest and best-known races. Everything else is nonsense.”
The FIS allocates a number of World Cup races to the individual countries, after which the national associations determine the respective locations. This list must then be approved by the FIS board. Which is the last word with the FIS.
– ,
