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Harti Weirather (65) is a friendly, open and pleasant guy. But when the 1982 downhill world champion is asked about the latest discussions surrounding the ski circus, he explodes. He sharply criticizes the World Ski Association FIS. “We must finally put an end to these secondary war zones and focus on the essentials,” the Austrian said.
What he means is clear. The ski brand Van Deer of ski legend Marcel Hirscher (34) must put its Red Bull logo on its skis, just like last winter. The company changed its name from ‘Van Deer – Red Bull Sports’ to ‘Van Deer Racing’ and adjusted the bull logo – but that is not enough for the FIS. Ultimately, advertising on skis is not allowed by regulations in alpine ski racing – in complete contrast to ski jumping.
Hope for a constructive dialogue
The FIS takes the Van Deer bull by the horns and causes problems for the supplier of slalom world champion Henrik Kristoffersen (29, no.). FIS president Johan Eliasch is said to have been so upset that he subsequently insisted on the regulated helmet logo size of 50 square centimeters. Another blow for Red Bull, which has been designing the entire helmets of stars like Marco Odermatt (25) in the typical silver-blue pattern for years.
Diego Zuger can understand the anger. The Swiss ski director says: “There are rules that you must of course adhere to. And as far as we know, Red Bull has credibly communicated its intention to do so several times. In any case, you should always have a constructive dialogue with companies that want to invest in skiing. As far as I know, this has not happened so far, or at least not enough. We hope that this will now change.”
Weirather is of the same opinion. “Ski racers hardly have the opportunity to market themselves. It is therefore insignificant to insist on regulations. On the contrary, you should take companies like Red Bull to court.”
“This is incredibly old-fashioned”
Weirather knows skiing inside and out. After his career, he founded the sports marketing agency WWP together with his wife Hanni Wenzel (66, De) and has been marketing the Kitzbühel Hahnenkamm races with great success since 1997. «This square centimeter thinking irritates me. It’s incredibly old-fashioned.”
The debate is not new at all and therefore all the more annoying. «Forty years ago I was co-initiator of the main sponsorship of Helmut Höflehner, one of the best downhill skiers in the world. “We had his helmet spray-painted red and green, completely in the colors of the watch company TAG Heuer,” says Weirather.
Lots of negative headlines
The ski circus has been turning heads for months. Examples? The men’s upcoming double trip to North America. The new washing rules and the associated fear of sabotage. The excavator works on the Rettenbach Glacier in Sölden. The ill-conceived team combination and the one that has already been buried again. And the sponsorship problem with Red Bull.
Ultimately, there remains hope for calmer waters for skiing. It is not yet in sight.
Source : Blick
I’m Emma Jack, a news website author at 24 News Reporters. I have been in the industry for over five years and it has been an incredible journey so far. I specialize in sports reporting and am highly knowledgeable about the latest trends and developments in this field.
