in Bolzano, Italy. The organizers were supported by Silvio Belardi, a lawyer.

The contract has a duration of four years (2012 - 2016). It is scaled based on women’s vs. men’s races and on the number of hosted races. For example, Gardena/Gröden is organizing two men’s races and will thus cede 40% of TV-rights revenues to the Italian association. Organizers of only one race, such as Alta Badia, Madonna di Campiglio and Bormio will pay 35%. Same for Cortina d’Ampezzo, the organizer of women’s races.

FISI’s newly elected president lavio Roda seemed to be particularly pleased with the contract signing: “This was a very important step. It finally defines the relationship between ski association, organizing committees and the holder of the rights.”.

“We can now put our minds to rest and tackle the next four years by concentrating on our key focus which is to organize World Cup races” says Edmund Dellago, president of Gardena/Gröden’s World Cup organizing committee, adding: “FISI’s new president has immediately shown that he is ready to discuss this in order to find a solution. And for that we thank him”.

The signing of the contract with FISI was attended by the organizers of Gardena/Gröden, Alta Badia, Bormio, Madonna di Campiglio and Tobbiaco/Toblach which is host to Nordic World Cup races. Furthermore, the negotiations were attended by Tito Givannini from the TV rights agency Infront as well as South Tyrolean Alpine Ski World Cup eminence Erich Demetz.

“We can finally put an end to the sorry chapter of TV rights” says Mr. Demetz. “This is mainly thanks to Mr. Roda who has brought a lot of know-how and wisdom to his new role”.
In addition to the payment of the TV revenues, the organizers are also expected to host international FIS youth races, to provide free training possibilities and to lodge national teams, to support FISI’s youth project and to supply race tickets to FISI sponsors.

“All disagreements are part of the past” says Reinhard Schmalzl, FISI Vice President and South Tyrolean, adding: “I am more interested in the content vs. percentages in the contract given my own responsibility for all things youth at FISI. And the contract is not short on content.”
The signing of the contract was preceded by a meeting between FISI president Mr. Roda and World Cup organizers in May in Milan which addressed the salient points of the contract.