Bonn, Germany - At the IPC Alpine Skiing Sports Assembly held in Bonn, Germany, several important topics were discussed and decisions were made that will change the structure of the sport.

Newly elected IPC Alpine Skiing Committee, Photo: IPC

The IPC Alpine Skiing Sports Assembly approved the use of a system that combines the traditional IPC Alpine Skiing racing classes for the Torino 2006 Paralympic Winter Games. The development of the system is based on three categories: sitting, standing and visually impaired/blind skiers. The new system reduces the number of medal events while increasing the competitive depth of athletes. In February 2004, this system was adopted by the Alpine Skiing Sports Assembly and further developed by a working group. A factor system has also been put into place to ensure fairness within the categories. The three-category system will come into use at all IPC sanctioned competitions immediately.

Peter Läuppi, newly elected Chairperson of the IPC Alpine Skiing Committee, stated: “The three category system is a system that was developed over many years. Applying this system at all IPC competitions is very important for the future of Alpine Skiing for athletes with a disability, but is also a very challenging step. It will be a major point for Alpine Skiing to improve and develop this system further. To become a fair system for all athletes it will be important that the course settings and the preparations of the slopes improve too.”

The newly elected IPC Alpine Skiing Committee, which will lead the sport in preparation for the Torino 2006 Paralympic Winter Games and in its future relationship with the International Ski Federation (FIS), consists of the following members:

Chairperson:                        Mr. Peter Läuppi (SUI)
Medical Representative:   Ms. Mirre Kipfer (SUI)
IBSA Representative:          Mr. Brian Santos (USA)
Athlete’s Representative:  Mr. Gerd Schönfelder (GER)
Members at Large:             Ms. Janine Elliott (NZL)
                                                Ms. Sandy Metzger (USA)
                                                Mr. Karl Lotz (GER)
                                                Ms. Sylvana Mestre (ESP)
                                                Mr. Ozzie Sawicki (CAN)

During the meeting, the Sports Assembly also approved a new IPC Alpine Skiing Rulebook, which will be published in December 2004.

xxx

For further information, please contact Miriam Wilkens, IPC Media and Communication Director on +49-228-2097-180, e-mail: miriam.wilkens@paralympic.org or http://www.paralympic.org.

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) is the international governing body of sport for athletes with a disability. It supervises and co-ordinates the Paralympic Summer and Winter Games and other multi-disability competitions, of which the most important are World and Regional Championships. The IPC, situated in Bonn, Germany, also supports the recruitment and development of athletes at a local, national and international level across all performance levels.