Discussion about security
“Tsunami on the Fis board”: Ski star doesn’t leave a good hair on the bandage
Updated 10/24/2025 – 6:14 p.mReading time: 3 minutes
Winter sports are about to start the season. But even before the first race in Sölden, a debate about safety in alpine skiing is gaining momentum. Now a French skier joins the discussion with clear words.
The World Ski Federation FIS reacted to the recent accidents – and, among other things, decided on some measures to increase safety in the speed disciplines. From this season onwards, the world association FIS is making it compulsory to wear airbags in speed races and cut-resistant underwear. The much-discussed carbon shin guards, which are intended to increase the leverage of the lower leg and thus provide more power, will be banned in the future.
Improving safety is “the joint responsibility of the FIS, the national ski associations, the athletes, coaches and organizers,” said FIS President Johan Eliasch about the safety debate before the start of the winter sports season. In addition to the mandatory airbags, “educational initiatives” and a “cultural change” should help to further minimize the risk for skiers.
“Alpine skiing is by definition a high-risk sport – that will never change,” the association head continued. And that – as macabre as it may seem – is part of the appeal for many people. “What needs to continually evolve is the safety culture that surrounds the sport, at all levels – in competition and in training,” continued Eliasch.
All downhill training routes worldwide are to be checked by spring 2026. Both national and international guidelines in alpine skiing are to be revised. A specially appointed working group will develop and test new measures. These measures should be ready in time for the 2026/27 season.
However, for many stars in the ski circus, this plan is not moving quickly enough. Just a few days ago, Aleksander Aamodt Kilde spoke out in an emotional interview. The Norwegian ski star called for a rethink: “Maybe we have to start with the fundamentals – the speed, the nets, the weather. If we were to slow down the average speed, that would make a big difference,” suggested the overall World Cup winner from the 2019/20 season in an interview with “Eurosport”.
Nevertheless, downhill star Vincent Kriechmayr stated shortly before the start of the season in Sölden: “There is always a residual risk.” Could this be reduced through fixed and better secured training routes? “Not feasible, too expensive,” believes the Austrian.