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FIS: the nazis of skiing?

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SEABURN
Posts: 4859 - Karma: 2,751

So, I just read the Ted Ligety FIS article...

https://www.newschoolers.com/readnews/44350.0/Ted-Ligety----Op-ed-pieces

this quote in particular got me, 'At the most recent FIS meeting they discussed punishments for athletes speaking out against them. I quote an excerpt from that meeting, “The Council agreed to develop a “Code” to deal with cases of improper behavior that fall outside the competence of the competition jury to augment the existing rules, such as blasphemy on social networking sites or bringing the sport into disrepute.”'

... for FIS to compare speaking out against them as "blasphemy" reminds me of the same mentality as the conceited fucks who cared about the length of my poles.

I had no idea how tyrannical, one sided, and unreasonable they are. His examples are just a few out of 1000s of complaints about FIS you can find online. Search FIS on newschoolers, you won't find anything positive about them.

I really don't know who makes up the committee, it could be a bunch of gorillas on unicycles for all I know. But I am curious to know, how did they end up as a governing body in skiing if they are consistently ignoring what the athletes are voicing? How did they get to be the authority on all regulations with no checks and balances?

Free skiing was born out of skiers rebelling against the rules and regulations of the competition scene at the time. So all these years later, when "freeskiing" started having it's own competitions, the same governing body that we wanted to get away from is regulating the newschool comp scene. Who the fuck decided that this was a good idea?

NS is one of the biggest voices in skiing, if we don't want FIS to over regulate and saturate our beloved sport, is there anything we can do as a community to change the direction of competition skiing? FUCK FIS is a sticker I've seen, but never really understood... now I'm a full supporter.

thoughts/ comments?

Feb 3 2014 4:59PM
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Mr.Sloth
Posts: 5091 - Karma: 13,469
BLASPHEMY
TAKE HIM AWAY
Feb 3 2014 5:17PM
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brov1
Posts: 1826 - Karma: 8,837
if they go anywhere near freeskiing they will burn
Feb 3 2014 7:00PM
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Abu_Hajaar
Posts: 2747 - Karma: 3,890
Fuck fis
Feb 3 2014 10:30PM
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skiersupreme
Posts: 1549 - Karma: 4,872
ill say whatever i want to about you FIS. get at me
Feb 3 2014 10:37PM
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SEABURN
Posts: 4859 - Karma: 2,751
uh, where've you been?

Feb 3 2014 10:38PM
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Roy
Posts: 1982 - Karma: 1,240
This sport started because we all hated FIS and for the things FIS did to mogul skiing. It's funny what ten years and some Olympic potential will let you forget.
Feb 3 2014 10:40PM
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cheaaaaaa
Posts: 830 - Karma: 630
a reals is what it is today because of fis


this article is a few years old. Any updates on the racing side of things as to if there is a union or any accommodations to the problems Ted was talking about???? I'm really not that up on FIS racing
Feb 4 2014 9:12AM
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cheaaaaaa
Posts: 830 - Karma: 630
did some research and found this kinda interesting article (going to read it in my spare time soon)
http://www.klokavskade.no/upload/Publication/Steenstrup_2014_BJSM_Head%20injuries%20among%20FIS%20WC%20alpine%20and%20freestyle%20skiers%20and%20snowboarders.pdf




heres the fis organizational web site of anyones interested

http://www.fis-ski.com/inside-fis/about/fis-structure/
Feb 4 2014 9:18AM
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Turkelton
Posts: 2829 - Karma: 8,558
>inb4 Terje

In a month you won't care, so actually realise the Olympics/IOC/FIS/TTR won't change snowboarding or skiing at all.
Feb 4 2014 9:23AM
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freestyler540
Posts: 13050 - Karma: 18,313
All associations are like this. A hostile take over of our sports by businessmen and businesswomen. Fuck that shit and ride for fun
Feb 4 2014 9:34AM
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SEABURN
Posts: 4859 - Karma: 2,751
@Turkelton

you're right, I probably won't care after the olympics n such...

Feb 4 2014 1:19PM
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John18_6
Posts: 7313 - Karma: 49,160
Petition against FIS involvement? Who wants to start one?
Feb 4 2014 2:29PM
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Turkelton
Posts: 2829 - Karma: 8,558
Do you compete?

Do you have an alternative system that is better?

It's so dumb that people jump on bandwagons because of a couple people, you won't care about FIS soon. It's the reason the TTR (World Snowboard Tour) has taken a back seat because it was no different and presented nothing other "than hur durr owned by snowboarders". Yes FIS is bad, but it is the best funded and best judged system, whereas TTR has become so undercovered. Skiing doesn't even have a separate world system other than this, apart from possibly AFP and National organisations.
Feb 4 2014 2:46PM
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cheaaaaaa
Posts: 830 - Karma: 630
no offense, but it sounds like you answered your question a little bit....AFP

not that i really want to get into the logistics of changing over the regulating body of the sport
Feb 4 2014 2:51PM
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John18_6
Posts: 7313 - Karma: 49,160
I knew I was going to get slammed by a point of fact. Didn't know when, didn't know what. Nice job sir.+k
Feb 4 2014 2:53PM
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chicken
Posts: 6843 - Karma: 2,122
FIS SUCKS
Feb 4 2014 2:56PM
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BennyBagels
Posts: 494 - Karma: 2,684
Relevant:

http://snowstoked.com/fis-fuck-yourself/
Feb 4 2014 2:56PM
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Turkelton
Posts: 2829 - Karma: 8,558
It could work, but does it change anything?
A lot of the people who say "change needed" have no real points apart from money. Other systems offer the same thing, nobody has a proper game changer. TTR was on the way for snowboarding, but it got too wrapped up in "skierss cant own da lympics" and all the stops went to shit
Feb 4 2014 3:03PM
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Turkelton
Posts: 2829 - Karma: 8,558
I wouldn't call it slammed
But together skiing and snowboarding can come up with a system that works VERY EASILY if Terje stopped going on hating the Olympics and keeping a generation of boarders with skiing hate. The FWT has created a system for both that works, why hasn't park/pipe got an integrated system? I don't believe we should segregate the sports as they are the same entity, but no system really has one that is universal and changes the judging/events all that stuff I don't know about, the FIS is really the only choice for Olympic qualis plus it's own tour.
I don't even know about racing or how it could change their system. I do know the FIS should be changed for freeskiing and snowboarding, but instead of high profile snowboarders *especially* and skiers complaining all the time about a system used for years, maybe they should come up with a tour/system that doesn't flop like the TTR has of the most part
Feb 4 2014 3:18PM
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cheaaaaaa
Posts: 830 - Karma: 630
Totally agreed. It would change plenty... not that I'm actually advocating it. but the reason freeski ended up in fis ("again") was because the benefits outweighed the cost; obviously compromises were made for a net gain, especially in terms of how were represented by the governing body of fis

However, in regards to stuff that applies to all ppl under FIS, there's value in having more transparency and representation from athletes at all levels when making big desions. And being critical of science before making regulatory changes based on a given study. Seemed like thats what ted was getting at anyways.
Feb 4 2014 3:41PM
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ATLskier
Posts: 8203 - Karma: 406
To everyone saying it wont change skiing, wait until fis is mandating shorter or longer skis, skis with a certain flex, a boycott of dreadlocks or other image related aspects, etc. If they are changing something as big as ski racing to the dismay of every racer, how the hell are they not going to do the same with freeskiing. We have even less power than the ski racers do. Add in the fact that they are limiting speech about the organization and you have a recipe for failure. How many of you would move to a country where you are promised a little extra money to do your job, but with limitations on how you do it, and if you object, they will arrest you or mandate that you be fired?
Feb 4 2014 6:29PM
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elcornholio
Posts: 797 - Karma: 1,557
#FUCKFIS
Feb 4 2014 7:35PM
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elcornholio
Posts: 797 - Karma: 1,557
Sorry for the double post but...

http://www.change.org/petitions/fis-international-ski-federation-stop-regulating-ski-racing-equipment
Feb 4 2014 7:37PM
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Holte
Posts: 10730 - Karma: 7,744
Wasn't Ligety fined $5000 dollars by FIS a while back for wearing an FIS Sucks sticker on his helmet?
Feb 4 2014 7:56PM
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J.D.
Posts: 21362 - Karma: 5,141

First, I thought I read this article a couple of years ago?

Second, don't Godwin yourself. No, FIS is not committing a mass genocide against a particular subset of skiers. The second you use the word "nazi" you sound like a moron. I mean, obviously his gripes are legitimate, but we don't need the dramatics to see that.

Feb 4 2014 8:02PM
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cheaaaaaa
Posts: 830 - Karma: 630
I think theres some room for regulation in equipment, but not too much, especially in free ski

-specifically, helmet standards make plant of sense. (more so for downhill/super G tho)

-i disagree with FIS's stance on product branding (theres not much money in action sports, so being a walking billboard may be what it takes to stay afloat)

-the tuning radius stuff really docent apply to freeski (it makes sense for safety reasons in racing, however they should be within reason and much better supported than the rationale ted was alluding to)


Feb 4 2014 8:03PM
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broto
Posts: 9039 - Karma: 25,659
i really want a handful of "fuck fis" or "fis sucks" sticker
Feb 4 2014 8:07PM
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Alex_G
Posts: 11902 - Karma: 1,018
FIS isn't gassing mass amounts of people based on their race...they may be assholes but they are not nazis
Feb 4 2014 8:10PM
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Stickthelanding8
Posts: 262 - Karma: 1,046
Let's have everyone put one on these where people can see them like skis, helmet, or all over any building that FIS works out of.
Feb 4 2014 10:24PM
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SEABURN
Posts: 4859 - Karma: 2,751
agree. I just wanted a dramatic thread title. Got you in here, right?
Feb 4 2014 10:57PM
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Mr.Huck
Posts: 6096 - Karma: 14,893
I have been preaching this for awhile. FIS only survives if it finds more things to regulate and enforce. I don't see how it's possible that they could not screw up freeskiing.

They will probably make a determination on whether you can compete without poles or what length and width of skis you can use in competitions.

I've always thought the FIS governing Freeskiing is like having a bunch of officials standing by your bed while you are having sex and issuing fines for engaging in certain acts or deducting points for certain positions.
Feb 4 2014 11:30PM
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Schmaelzle
Posts: 272 - Karma: 546
Everyone says that FIS is ruining the sport and that some other regulatory body run by riders/skiers could somehow save it. The truth is nobody has any idea how to do it better. They just want to be the ones calling the shots under the current system.

There are alternatives to FIS out there. There are ways to grow our sport, keep money in the community, and keep everyone happy. It's just that FIS and its regulatory bodies do that job the best at the moment. The money just doesn't really stay in the community.

The SS/HP/SX competitive format that USSA and USASA follow (pretty much a downsized version of the FIS World Cup events) are the absolute best formats to capture riders and the medias attention. Kids love doing them. Parents love talking about them. The media finds the events digestible. Everybody is winning, but not everyone can win - or even compete.

If you can figure out how to get money to the coaches, support staff, sponsors (non-traditional advertising dollars), and can create a more stable revenue stream that benefits everyone involved... then you can start pulling away from the FIS.
Feb 4 2014 11:40PM
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Che~
Posts: 2108 - Karma: 296
Do you even know what FIS is? FIS is to skiing as the NFL is to football, MLB to baseball, FIFA is to football and so on.....its a huge company.

In other news, that article was written back in 2011. Fast forward a couple of years, Ted continues to dominate GS, even with the new regulations. All the fuss about the gear regulations has simmered down, not too many people care any more.
Feb 4 2014 11:45PM
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chicken
Posts: 6843 - Karma: 2,122
you are anti FIS?

maybe there is hope for you after all.
Feb 4 2014 11:52PM
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Iraq_Lobster
Posts: 1866 - Karma: 4,904
you just wait
Feb 5 2014 9:48AM
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John18_6
Posts: 7313 - Karma: 49,160
I would compete but that $150 ussa competition license is bullshit. Rail jams and park jams are the only real comps left.
Feb 7 2014 12:59PM
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erikK
Posts: 3245 - Karma: 2,327
There is a facebook page for this that I didn't see referenced in my skimming through this thread
https://www.facebook.com/fuuuckFIS?ref=br_tf
Feb 7 2014 1:09PM
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YUNG_milksteAk
Posts: 1437 - Karma: 4,328
I did nazi this coming
Feb 7 2014 1:14PM
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Mr.Huck
Posts: 6096 - Karma: 14,893
Then on top of that you have to pay your regional dues too. Just so they can keep track of your points. You still have to pay entry fees for every comp you enter.

I googled it, but couldn't find out whether the Dew Tour was an FIS event, but I don't think it is. Ponder for a moment if skiers like Tanner, Simon, Henrick, etc. had to come up through the ranks competing in a gazillion comps like racers do, in order to be recognized. If FIS had gotten involved in freeskiing early on, things would be way different and I'm pretty sure none of us would like it.
Feb 7 2014 1:22PM
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