The start of the 2017 Alpine World Ski Championships today (Tuesday) has seen the introduction of new technology which the International Ski Federation (FIS) hopes will significantly enhance television coverage of the sport.
The FIS has worked with official race timers Swiss Timing, whose Longines watch brand is a long-time federation sponsor, on the Alpine Live Data project, which involves all racers having to wear a transponder. New graphics will include dynamic speed checks throughout a skier's run, acceleration out of the toughest corners, and measuring air time, plus launch and landing speeds, on big jumps.
“This is the future, this is also a marketing tool, this is entertaining the TV world,” Emmanuel Couder, the project leader, told the Associated Press news agency.
Couder admits the FIS has lagged behind in the presentation of skiing and also believes the new transponders can serve as a means to enhance safety for athletes. “We are late in Alpine skiing,” he said. “For me, this is just the beginning. The opportunities are huge. With this transponder in future, we could simulate the perfect course setting. We should never stop the natural evolution.”
The project is set to be expanded next season to include broadcasts of World Cup races, including the technical disciplines of slalom and giant slalom, and action at the 2018 winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea.
“I hope so,” Couder added. “We are already in contact with Olympic Broadcast Services.”