IFSS European Championship Dryland 2020 has been cancelled due to the current situation with Covid-19 pandemic and the uncertain travel restrictions in Europe still in place. When travel restrictions will be lifted is very unclear and therefore it is not fair to athletes or to organizers to plan for this event. There is also a "second wave" of the pandemic predicted to hit in the fall. IFSS and the sled dog sport is not unique to cancel events, the entire world of sports has to either cancel or postpone championship events due to the pandemic. Suspension of internal Auditor. As of May 24, 2020 internal auditor Girts Eldmanis has been suspended from his duties until the General Assembly 2020 (date still to be determined).
The Council decision to suspend Girts Eldmanis is based on the fact that Girts Eldmanis no longer is acting independent in the position as internal auditor. Girts Eldmanis has acknowledged that he has been handing out confidential information to outer circles, both last year and this year.
Siri Barfod, Norway will be acting as internal auditor and IFSS also has hired an external auditor for 2018/2019 and for 2019/2020.
Clarification Race Rules. The change/update of dogs age participating at IFSS accredited races was made after recommendations from two of IFSS committees: Race Judges and Race Regulations Committee and Animal Health and Welfare Committee with the best of our dogs in mind. It is important to point out that the IFSS Race Rules apply to IFSS accredited races such as World/Continental championship and World Cup events. For National races and club races it is up to the organizer to decide what rules/age limits they want to apply. So if an IFSS member wants to organize a National/club event with a different age regulation it is up to them what age the dogs should have to participate. But it is highly recommended to follow the IFSS Race Rules for animal welfare and health reasons.
Fluorinated Ski Wax to be banned by 2022-23. IFSS Council has decided to follow the recommendations from FIS International Ski Federation when it comes to a ban of fluorinated ski waxes. Fluorinated ski waxes have been shown scientifically to have a negative environmental and health impact. IFSS Council will follow the development in FIS and take further decisions accordingly.
According to a FIS press release dated May 25th 2020 this will be the timeline for the use of fluorinated waxes: For the season 2020-21 the measurement limit will be defined to give the possibility for the manufacturers, service technicians and teams to adapt to the new situation. The measurement limit will be fixed based on the experience of the testing and validation phase in the summer 2020. From the 2021-22 season, after evaluation from the first season the measurement limit will be lowered to a possible minimum with the objective of a zero limit of fluorinated gliding compounds as from season 2022-23.
IFSS Masters Championship. Regulations for IFSS Masters are being finalized and will shortly be sent out to Members for a vote.