The ISMF Forum for race organisers and national federations took place last weekend in Pelvoux, France, the location hosting the World Championships in February 2013. As well as the organisers of this season’s World Cup races and the World Championships there was the presence of representatives from Turkey and Russia. The Forum is an important annual event which gives the opportunity to introduce the season’s sporting referees, discuss technical issues and for the President of the ISMF – Armando Mariotta to introduce the ISMF staff.
After introducing the organisation’s working structure the president went on to introduce new members including Rebecca Vernon the new Vice President for Sport & Events, from Great Britain, as well as new members of the Management Committee, Marco Mosso from Italy, Anne Bochatay from Switzerland and Johanna Van de Wal, representing Andorra. Alexandre Pellicier from France as the new Technical Director is assisted by the Spaniard, Jordi Canals and the American, Michael Silitch.
Rebecca Vernon and Alexandre Pellicier introduced the race calendar for the coming season as well as highlighting some new variations to the regulations, such as the absence of the Cadet category in this year’s World Cup circuit.
One of the novelties for this year’s programme was the introduction of a new Marketing and Communications project. This project has brought about sponsorship of the entire World Cup circuit by Scarpa, whose name will appear in the World Cup circuit title. Another new sponsorship entry is Montura, who will be providing the official ISMF uniforms as well as participating in the communications project.
Alain Lanxade, the federation’s IT advisor, went on to explain the online athletes registration system as well as the new statistics about ski mountaineering which can now be found on the federation’s website.
Armando Mariotta commented, ‘I’m extremely satisfied with this year’s Forum. The ISMF is managed by dedicated and professional people. The new regulations, Marketing & Communications Project and the online registration system are aspects that bode well for the coming season. Another important reminder of the ever increasing international interest in competitive ski mountaineering was the presence of representatives from Turkey and Russia.’ Mariotta is also keen to point out that the work to develop a concrete relationship with the International Olympic Committee is moving forward and in a few days a final dossier to request official recognition by the IOC will be handed over in Geneva. ‘We hope that we are moving ever closer to the Olympics’, he reiterated.
The 2013 World Cup starts in Ahrntal, Italy on 12 & 13 January, with Vertical and Individual races, this is followed by Alpinski, Switzerland on 25 & 26 January. The third event takes place in Clusone, Italy on 2 & 3 March, with the penultimate event taking place on 9 & 10 March in Andorra. The World Cup final will be held in Tromso, Norway on 13 & 14 April 2013.
The World Championships in Pelvoux, France are scheduled for 9-15 February 2013.
