TL;DR
The FIS has adjusted the 2025-26 men's Alpine World Cup calendar, adding more downhill events after speed specialists voiced concerns. The revised schedule aims to create a more equitable playing field for the Overall Season Trophy.
FIS Caves to Pressure from Speed Specialists
The International Ski Federation (FIS) has made significant alterations to the men's 2025-26 Alpine World Cup calendar, bowing to pressure from speed specialists who complained about an initial imbalance favouring technical events. The revised schedule now features 38 total races, evenly split between 20 technical events (9 Giant Slalom, 11 Slalom) and 18 speed events (9 Downhill, 9 Super-G). This marks a departure from the preliminary calendar released in May, which had proposed 10 Super-G and only 7 Downhill races.
These changes are more than just a numbers game. They represent a calculated move by the FIS to address growing discontent among speed skiers, who argued the original calendar unfairly tilted the odds of winning the Overall Season Trophy - the coveted 'big Crystal Globe' - towards technical specialists.
The most notable adjustments include converting a Super-G race in Crans Montana, Switzerland to a Downhill event, and adding an extra Downhill to the stop. These modifications aim to create a more level playing field for Downhill specialists competing for the overall title.While the FIS deserves some credit for responding to athlete concerns, this last-minute reshuffling also highlights ongoing tensions between speed and technical disciplines within Alpine skiing. It's a perennial balancing act for the governing body, trying to satisfy competing interests while also considering logistical constraints, television contracts, and the preferences of host venues.The revised calendar maintains some traditional elements. will host the season opener with a Giant Slalom, while speed specialists will have to wait until late November for their first taste of competition with a Super-G in . The North American swing continues with additional speed events and a technical race in Beaver Creek before the circuit returns to Europe for the bulk of the season.
