INTERNATIONAL SKI FEDERATION Blochstrasse 2 3653 Oberhofen/Thunersee Switzerland FOR MORE INFORMATION Jenny Wiedeke FIS Communications Director Mobile: + 41 79 449 5399 E-Mail: [email protected] Oberhofen, Switzerland 29.1.2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FIS MEDIA INFO FIS Alpine Ski World Cup, Yanqing (CHN) Cancelled Due to the outbreak and continuing spread of the Novel Coronavirus, FIS, the Chinese Ski Association and its Yanqing Local Organising Committee, have jointly decided to cancel the upcoming men’s Audi FIS World Cup races scheduled for 15 th -16 th February 2020. “It is with great regret that all of the stakeholders are obliged to take the difficult decision to cancel the World Cup races in Yanqing this season, as the historic first FIS Alpine Ski World Cup in China and the first official Beijing 2022 Test Event,” said FIS President Gian Franco Kasper. “Although the risk level in Yanqing is low, the health and welfare of the athletes and all participants must take priority. It is also imperative that athletes can focus on their performance and particularly on the completely new and very challenging course. The first competitions on the new Olympic downhill course in Yanqing were carried out successfully as part of the 14th Chinese National Winter Games from 16 th to 20 th January. The FIS Technical Experts and Medical Supervisor who were present were very pleased with the new course and snow conditions, as well as the organisation of the event and mountain operations. FIS will advise at a later date in regard to the rescheduling of the cancelled races from Yanqing: a downhill and a super-G. The women’s Audi FIS World Cup downhill and super-G, which will serve as the Beijing 2022 Test Event will take place next season in March 2021 and efforts will be undertaken to schedule a test event for the men as well. * * * About FIS FIS is the governing body for international skiing and snowboarding, founded in 1924 during the first Olympic Games in Chamonix, France. Recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), FIS manages the Olympic disciplines of Alpine Skiing , Cross-Country Skiing , Ski Jumping , Nordic Combined , Freestyle Skiing and Snowboarding , including setting the international competition rules. Through its 131 member nations, more than 7’000 FIS ski and snowboard competitions are staged annually. Specific initiatives are undertaken by FIS to promote snow activities as a healthy leisure recreation, notably for the young . For more information, please visit www.fis-ski.com .