FIS insists Wisła World Cup must be on snow, creating major logistical challenge

The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) has decided that the Ski Jumping World Cup competitions in Wisła-Malinka must be conducted with athletes landing on snow rather than on plastic. A hybrid format—using ice inruns with plastic (igelic) landing—has been explicitly ruled out by FIS.

Andrzej Wąsowicz, president of the Silesian–Beskid Ski Association, told the Polish Press Agency (PAP) that, after consultations with World Cup race director Sandro Pertile, organizers were instructed to stage the competitions on snow and were given a deadline of November 28 to complete the necessary preparations.

Due to persistently mild temperatures in the Beskid Mountains, the organizing committee at the Adam Małysz Hill has so far struggled to produce enough snow. Wąsowicz did not disclose current snow volumes, saying production is just starting up, but he confirmed that a 30 cm snow layer is required on the landing slope to meet standards.

Wisła-Malinka is slated to host individual World Cup events for both women and men. The women’s competitions are scheduled for December 4–5, and the men’s for December 6–7. If snowmaking conditions do not improve quickly, the events could face significant logistical pressure to meet FIS requirements.

Source: PAP