Your own job as a climate “sin”?

Visually, the World Cup opener in Sölden may look wintry if the snow falls in time, but in terms of content the topic is difficult apart from the sporting events. For some activists, it’s not just about climate protection, but also about competitive disadvantage. The World Federation (FIS) is called upon.Sölden. The debate about the early start of the season on a shrinking Austrian glacier, which is possible thanks to deposited snow, is multi-faceted. “Of course skiing has to develop, has to keep up with the times, of course we have to change things. But there is a bit too much negative atmosphere at the moment,” said Vincent Kriechmayr before the start on the Rettenbachferner. “I would of course like it if only people who knew what they were talking about had a say. There are a lot of people who are interested in skiing.”

During the Covid pandemic, he would never have dared to discuss vaccinations or other things with someone from the medical field because he lacked experience, training and knowledge. Kriechmayr explained that he had no problem starting the season earlier, for example in South America, where many teams complete their preparation, or later. The Upper Austrian also noted that after seven months of training you only have five months of racing time, something like that doesn’t exist in any other sport. “Our parents sacrificed a lot for us to be here. I don’t think I’m doing anything wrong by racing.”

Norway’s ski star Aleksander Aamodt Kilde also just wants to “do his job”. Because of his job, he is certainly not a good example of climate-friendly behavior. “But I can raise my voice and point out necessary changes,” he said in the APA interview. He sees what is happening on the glaciers, it is shocking. “We can no longer reverse the trend, but we can slow it down. We have to change the world together.”

“To what extent should we adapt our environment to a schedule that we want? Or should we adapt our schedules to the environment?” recently asked Mikaela Shiffrin, who, like her partner Kilde, is one of the NGO “Protect Our Winters ” initiated petition to the FIS. Just over 30,000 people have supported “Try Harder, FIS” so far.

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“We want systemic change. The contribution that each individual makes is important, but at least as important are the large companies in our industry and what the FIS does,” said Kilde. In a survey of 1,000 people in Austria commissioned by Greenpeace, 83 percent of those surveyed would like the FIS to do more for climate protection.

“There are now maybe four places in Europe where you can drive”

In the summer, the nations trained in Argentina, Chile or New Zealand, but since returning to Europe, most have only been able to ski for a few days due to the warm temperatures and poor snow conditions. This also applies to Kilde and the Norwegian team. “It’s difficult for us athletes to be ready. There are now maybe four places in Europe where you can ride. And there you can only do thirty seconds. Then you come to Sölden and have a minute of racing time. That’s wrong. Better “It would be safer for us if we were prepared and it would look better.” With a later start to the season you could perhaps save yourself from training overseas.

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The Frenchman Alexis Pinturault sees an urgent need to get together with the FIS. Thanks to the snow depot, holding a race in Sölden in October is no problem, but the lack of training opportunities in advance is. “If we can’t prepare well and one team has a big advantage. For example the Swiss, who have Saas Fee and Zermatt and decide when to close and it is no longer possible for the other teams to train.”

Lucas Braathen also said that the preparation was completely different this year because after five weeks in New Zealand he was only able to train for a few days on a glacier in Norway. “The FIS has to make adjustments. And work with the climate and not against the climate. We have to arrange the next season with a different perspective. It is important to have the focus on what is good for the climate and good for the sport. “

Franziska Gritsch is sponsored by Sölden. Although she doesn’t feel like she has to justify her job, she thinks the current discussion about skiing is a shame. “Skiing is my job, not talking about political issues.” She wants to do a good job on Saturday. “Skiing belongs in Austria, is a huge enrichment for all of us, and that’s how it should stay. The fact that the season starts at the end of October is extremely cool for us.”