|
2004 Meeting of the International Masters Ski Jumping Committee Held Friday, March 12, 2004 in the Festsaal, Reit im Winkl, Germany, in conjunction with the 15th annual International Masters Competition. The meeting was called to order at 7:52 pm by Chairman Alf-Tore Haug (NOR). Present were representatives from: AUT CZE FIN GER NOR RUS SLO SVK SWE USA. (Missing: HUN) The chairman briefly set out his agenda and then went to work. SITE FOR IMC 2005: Alf-Tore reported that we have two bids to host the 16th IMC, from Austria and from Slovenia. He then set the following procedure: each candidate will make a brief presentation, after which five minutes will be allowed for questions. Austria was chosen to speak first. Alexander Diess spoke for Austria. He said that the IMC would be organized in Villach, Austria. He described the jumping hills as very good 30, 60 and 90 meter jumps, and a not so good 15 which he suggested that we not use, restricting our events to the other three. All three have nice long outruns and the jumps are served by a chair lift. Diess said that Villach is a town where people can have fun, and that the costs should be lower than in Reit im Winkl. However, he warned that Villach does not have dependable late snow and so the event should be scheduled earlier, probably in the range Feb. 22-27.
Do the jumps have towers?
How does one travel to Villach?
Is it an expensive town? Diess pointed out that skiers could preview the jumps in summer since they are open with plastic May-October.
(Find both Villach and Kranj on the map.)
Questions for Slovenia:
Prices in Kranj?
Lifts?
Isn't a 100 meter hill too big for IMC? The president of the Kranj ski club pointed out that Kranj will be the site of the World Junior Nordic Championships in 2006 so it would relieve a possible conflict or overload to have the IMC there in 2005, or perhaps 2007.
Is it impossible to have IMC in Kranj in 2006? The committee then took a three minute break for the representatives of the individual nations to talk over the proposals before voting. With one representative from each of the ten nations present standing at the front of the room, Alf Tore flipped a coin to choose which bid would be the question. Slovenia won the toss. Moved: that IMC 2005 be organized in Kranj, Slovenia. A visible vote was taken among the ten representatives, and the motion received one positive vote. Based on the vote, Alf Tore ruled that Austria would be asked to host the 2005 IMC in Villach, and that the 2006 event go to Kranj, Slovenia. COMPETITION CLASSES ON THE SMALLEST HILL Alf Tore Haug reminded the committee that last year, we had agreed on the 30 meter hill to have the usual age groups for skiers over 50 but to have a single class, welcoming adult beginners and resumed jumpers ages 30 to 49. Somehow, this rule was forgotten in Reit im Winkl, and Alf Tore asked if we should reaffirm or reverse the policy. Moved: to revert to the usual 5-year age groups on the 30 meter hill for all skiers over 30 years old. Passed. For 2005, Alexander Diess recommends not using the 15 meter hill. The consensus of the committee was to follow Alex's suggestion and compete only on three hills (40, 55, 100). MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS: Ake Saloniemi raised the question of making a trial round a required part of our competitions. Others suggested that we might find ourselves in a dilemma if we make a hard and fast rule. As is stands, it is normal practice to have a trial round. Alf Tore suggested that we make it IMC policy, and inform organizers, to hand deliver any schedule changes to each team. This was in response to the unfortunate happening Thursday at IMC 15. The committee agreed with this suggestion. Stanislav Slavik, organizer of the 2002 IMC in Harrachov, and also of an annual Veterans meet would like to coordinate the scheduling of our IMC with his Veterans meet so that they would be on successive weekends, offering visiting Masters two events. However, the February dates for the next two IMC events will make that difficult. Alf Tore Haug asked that members all consider scheduling issues and bring any suggestions to next year's meeting. OFFICERS FOR THE COMING YEAR: Alf Tore delivered a bit of a farewell speech. He said that it was a pleasure picking up the reins of the committee from Tim Denisson and Chris Berggrav. He stated that our most important objective is to continue to expand our activity until we include all ski jumping nations. This expansion has been working well recently, though we miss Canada and Estonia who have both been with us in the past. We have many fine sportsmen, and our nations list is approaching that of FIS jumping. We still need to attract teams from Switzerland, Italy and France. (And he chuckled as he mentioned Japan.) But he needs to step down because of pressures of his job, and with a 12 year old son now jumping in junior competitions. He suggests that we continue with the same three titles: president, vice president, chairman for Nordic Combined. Nominations were offered: Ake Saloniemi, Alexander Diess, Klaus Gunther, Torbjorn Haugen, Anton Zapf, and these were discussed as candidates for various of the titles above. Finally, Alf Tore proposed the following slate.
President -- Klaus Gunther Someone raised the question of job descriptions. Alf Tore suggested that the main job of the president was to make sure that we have a host for the coming year, and that the arrangements develop in good order. Ake pointed out that the NC chairman should be knowledgeable in NC and preferable, and active combined competitor. The candidates above were voted on by show of hands and Klaus and Ake were approved. Alex Diess was added as a second candidate for Vice President, but Torbjorn Haugen won the election in a close vote. So the new officers for 2004-2005 will be:
President -- Klaus Gunther HILLS FOR NORDIC COMBINED IN 2005: Ake ruled that in Villach, for Nordic Combined competition, skiers under 60 should use the 60 meter hill and those over 60 should use the 30 meter. No other business was brought to the floor. The committee thanked Alf Tore for his hard work and good service as President. Klaus made a brief acceptance speech. The meeting was adjourned at 9:39 pm. Respectfully submitted, Don West (USA) [ See Minutes of 2003 meeting. ]
Copyright © 2004, All Rights Reserved |
Questions for Austria: