The Int'l Ski Federation (FIS) "is planning to make changes to the downhill format," according to Patrick Piechaczek of SPONSORs. The proposed changes "are expected to appeal to a younger target audience." The proposed format changes "call for downhills events with two runs." However, the season highlights in Kitzbühel, Austria, and Wengen, Switzerland, "would continue in the traditional format." FIS Race Dir Markus Waldner: "The current trend is going toward compact formats, where excitement can be build up. An example is downhill races with two runs, in which the best athletes remain close together until the final decision. We are already testing this format in the Continental Cup and could soon introduce it in the World Cup calendar." The main reason for the format change is that the downhill races "do not attract young fans". The "average age in the stands is 45." Another change has already been confirmed. The top 10 in the World Cup standings "will receive uneven starting numbers between 1 and 19 this season." Last year, the top group received numbers between 16 and 22. Waldner: "The goal is to stretch the appearances of the top skiers to keep fans engaged for a longer period" (SPONSORs, 10/12).
