Who runs a cross-country ski race?
A · Advanced · Sanctions and officials · 2 of 3A jury chaired by the FIS technical delegate runs each race, with an assistant technical delegate, the chief of competition and, at top events, the FIS race director. Team captains may protest in writing, in English, with a fee of 100 Swiss francs, usually within 15 minutes of the unofficial results. Appeals go to FIS within 48 hours.
How it works
- Jury: the technical delegate as chair, the assistant technical delegate, the chief of competition and, at top events, more FIS-appointed members.
- Protest grounds: admittance, the course, another skier or official, timing, jury decisions, clerical errors.
- Deadlines: course protests within 15 minutes of official training; most others within 15 minutes of the unofficial results.
- Form: in writing and in English, with evidence and CHF 100, returned if upheld.
- Who: national ski associations and team captains.
- Sprint heats: protests only for the final heats.
- Deciding: a majority of all voting members; the technical delegate's vote breaks a tie.
- Appeals: by the national association to FIS within 48 hours, with CHF 500.
The glossary has the jury, the protest, the sanctions (cross-country), the sprint heats, the course homologation and the team event.
Tricky cases
Can a skier protest a result themselves?
No. Protests come from the team captain or the national association.
A clerical error is found a week later. Too late?
No. Such protests may be sent through the national association within one month.
Who has the final word in a tie vote?
The technical delegate.
When do results become official?
After the 15-minute protest period, or once all protests are resolved.
Why the rule exists
Short deadlines settle results while the evidence is fresh. Requiring English and a fee keeps protests clear and serious.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Olympics, World Championships | Larger jury with foreign members | FIS 303.1.1 |
| World Cup | Race director on the jury | FIS 303.1.2 |
| Sprint heats | No protests until the finals | FIS 325.6.2 |
From the rule book
FIS, ICR Book II: Cross-Country (June 2026), articles 303.1, 317.5.4, 361 and 362. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the FIS ICR, revised by the FIS Council each season.