A review of the 2025 races in Val Gardena. A look ahead to this year’s FIS Alpine Ski World Cup programme. And an inspection of the slope set to host the technical events at the 2031 World Championships. These were the three main items on the agenda during the traditional FIS inspection held on Wednesday morning with the renowned South Tyrolean organisers.

A brief meeting at the Saslong Classic Club headquarters opened the mandatory visit, which has long since become a cherished tradition. The International Ski and Snowboard Federation was represented by three FIS race directors: Hannes Trinkl, Raimund Plancker and Janez Hladnik. Together with the organisers, they first reviewed last winter’s races, which delivered victories for two favourites – Marco Odermatt in the sprint downhill and Franjo von Allmen in the classic downhill – as well as a surprise win for Jan Zabystran in the super-G.

For the coming winter, the organisers and FIS are sticking with the established programme. The super-G will take place on Friday, 18 December, while the classic downhill on Saturday, 19 December will be the highlight and closing event of the 59th Saslong Classic. Training runs are scheduled for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Should a speed event in North America be cancelled early in the season, it will be rescheduled for Thursday in Val Gardena, as in previous years. This year brings a change to the start times: all training runs and races will begin at noon.

The FIS inspection also looked ahead to the 2031 World Championships, with a visit to the slope La Ciampinoi. In just under four and a half years, this will be the venue for the technical events. The race directors gave the course a very positive assessment, noting that it will provide a demanding challenge for the world’s best female and male ski racers. Experts will get their first opportunity to assess the slope under race conditions shortly after the turn of the year. FIS giant slalom races for men and women will be held here on 23 and 24 January – an initial test ahead of the World Championships in February 2031.