Lausanne, Switzerland – It was over nearly as soon as it started. Following an incident during Tuesday’s slalom in Madonna di Campiglio, the International Ski Federation (FIS) has banned the flying of aerial drones at its events as it undertakes an investigation into the crash and near-collision with a ski racer.
World Cup leader Marcel Hirscher of Austria was well into his second run during Tuesday’s race when a television camera drone crashed to the snow immediately behind him, narrowly missing the racer.
“That’s my Christmas present! I’m not hurt and I was lucky,” Hirscher joked with reporters, before striking a more serious tone. “It’s unbelievable, it’s incredible, shameful.”
Hirscher at first believed that one of the course sideslippers had fallen behind him, until he arrived in the finish area to find out what had really happened.
“I just heard a noise, I thought a groomer had fallen over,” Hirscher said. “I am very relieved that nothing happened. You don’t want to think about what could have happened when 10 kilograms (22 pounds) are coming down 20 meters (65 feet). That would have been a very serious, bad injury. There are a lot of cool things nowadays. But you have to guarantee the safety — and that was just insane.”
Tuesday’s race was the first in which the FIS and its World Cup broadcaster, the Swiss marketing firm Infront Sports and Media, had tried filming a World Cup race with a drone — in part because flying a drone over a crowd is still permitted in Italy, unlike in many other countries. Prior to the race, they had touted the television footage that the drones would provide.
“The recipe of successful events is to be able to build over history, and experience, while always trying to pursue innovation, to be one step ahead of your time,” the FIS proudly proclaimed in a press release issued on Saturday. “Supported by its over-60-year history the (Madonna di Campiglio World Cup race) is the perfect place where something revolutionary may happen and amaze millions of TV viewers around the world. A drone will fly over the slope to air live images during the event, an absolute premiere in Audi FIS Ski World Cup.”
However, following the incident the FIS reacted immediately and reversed course. Drones will be banned at FIS events “as long as I am responsible …. because they are a bad thing for safety,” World Cup men’s race director Markus Waldner told The Associated Press on Wednesday, adding that the drone pilot wasn’t supposed to fly the device directly above the race course. “It was huge luck that Marcel was not hurt. I am very angry.”
Officially, the FIS issued the following statement today:
“While FIS and its partners aim to use new technology to enhance the fan experience, an accident such as the drone crash cannot happen again. Even if – unlike in Austria, Switzerland and other countries – drones are authorized to fly over a crowd during events in Italy, FIS and the host broadcaster will work together with all the involved parties to see what occurred during the crash and ensure that this will not happen again.”
Broadcast partner Infront Sports and Media added, “Infront apologizes to Marcel Hirscher and to FIS for the unfortunate incident with the drone. Detailed technical analyses will be conducted and more information will be given as soon as possible.”