Austrian push for competition by timing companies gets FIS approval

By Published On: May 26th, 2006Comments Off on Austrian push for competition by timing companies gets FIS approval

Austrian push for competition by timing companies gets FIS approval{mosimage}VILAMOURA, Portugal In a compromise move generated by FIS President Gian Franco Kasper, the long-seething feud between Austria and the FIS over timing rights and fees was settled on the floor of the congress. Affected was timing systems for the entire alpine World Cup.

Under the terms of the compromise, Kasper invited the president of the Austrian federation, Peter Schroecksnadel, to participate in all timing negotiations on behalf of the FIS.

Working with proposals by Germany and Norway, the FIS Council searched for ways to meet the concerns of the Austrian federation, which has been very successful in marketing timing for its World Cup races during the entire week of the congress.

All week long, the Austrian delegation had worried about centralizing timing, saying that such a move would create a monopoly situation by eliminating competition.

‘It is better to homologate a number of timing systems to create a market for timing services’ Klaus Leistner, secretary general of the Austrian Federation, said. ‘That way you have a number of companies interested in participating.’

The Austrian position had the support of the United States. ‘They are right’ said Bill Marolt. ‘The more companies involved the more likely the competition will create a stronger market.’

For more on the FIS Congress actions, click here.

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About the Author: Pete Rugh