Cut-resistant garments are a relatively new invention in Alpine Skiing. Recently, the quality of edge tuning has rapidly increased with the widespread use of tuning machines like the Snowglide and Tri-One. Athletes now have more opportunities than ever to train on injected slopes and ice all year round, and coaches are making the edges extremely sharp to maximise performance on these kinds of surfaces; therefore, that comes with additional risk.
As racers push the limits, they crash and fall onto their skis, exposing themselves to cuts in the major limbs. The most high-profile case in recent times was Aleksander Aamodt Kilde in the Wengen Downhill in January 2024, who cut through his calf and spent 10 weeks in a wheelchair before having to learn how to use his foot correctly again.
FIS (International Ski Federation) has now published the new specifications for alpine skiing -July 2024 - which has introduced an implementation of cut-resistant undergarments that say:
Cut-resistant undergarment is strongly recommended for all disciplines and events at all levels. Cut-resistant undergarment pants are mandatory for all events disciplines at category race level 0 and 1 from season 2025/2026 onwards. The compulsory implementation requires a minimum protection level of 3 stars according to the FIS-DITF test standard everywhere between the iliac crest and the onset of the ski boot. Further, protective zones will be defined until spring 2025.