This coming season is the last year of the transition to the ‘new’ USSA and FIS ski racing rules that apply to ski racing suits. In order for your ski racing suit to be FIS approved for the 2017-18 season it needs to have either an official FIS certification plomb or the FIS CS 2015 conformity label. The USSA follows the same rules with relation to ski race suits as the FIS does. So how do you tell if your ski racing suit is FIS Approved?
Certification Plomb
A certification plomb is a little metal numbered disc that is mechanically attached like a rivet to the suit. It should be on the lower left leg just above the cuff. An FIS certification plomb is only good until the end of 2017-18. A plombed ski race suit will not be legal for 2018-19. This means USSA/FIS rules dictate that if you own a plombed suit this season, you will have to buy a new ski race suit for 2018-19 season.
An FIS certification plomb and position on a ski race suit.
The rules state, if you have a speed suit that does not have a plomb or the FIS CS 2015 label on it, you will need to get your suit certified to use it this season. This usually can be done by an FIS sanctioned official at a race event.
FIS Official certification
FIS CS 2015 Certification label
As of 2015, all new race suits produced that are FIS approved should have the FIS CS 2015 conformity label imprinted on the fabric.
This label must be a minimum of 30mm wide x 45mm high. It must be affixed by the manufacturer in a non-removable manner on the left leg, just above the boot cuff. Additionally, this label must be visible at all times.
A ski race suit description may say, “FIS certified to the 30ml test”. But that does not mean it is FIS approved for use after 2017-18. In order for a ski race suit to be legal for use from the end of 2017-18 on it MUST meet the 30ml air porosity test. Additionally, it must have the official “FIS CS 2015” conformity label printed on the suit.
A ski race suit with the FIS CS 2015 certification label on the left leg guaranteeing it is FIS legal.
When to buy a new ski race suit
The 2017-18 season will be a cross roads for those that need to buy a new ski race suit. If you buy a suit that does not have the FIS CS 2015 label on it, you need to get it plombed to use for the season. And then next year you will have to buy a new ski racing suit with the proper certification label.
So be careful when purchasing a suit this season. Make sure you will get more than one season of use out of it. Buy an FIS approved ski race suit now to guarantee you are legal to race no matter what.
All Arctica race suits, both adult and junior sizes, are FIS legal and have the FIS CS 2015 label on the lower left leg, just above the boot cuff. Pre-order your speed suit now to guarantee you get the suit you want for this season.
