Zoricic Family Demands Answers, Claims FIS Negligence

(ATR) Six weeks after the death of Canadian freestyle skier Nik Zoricic at a World Cup skicross event in Switzerland, family members are demanding a comprehensive, independent investigation.

"This was no freak accident," Zoricic family attorney Tim Danson said Wednesday during a press conference in Toronto, alleging a lack of communication about the March 10 incident from the International Ski Federation (FIS).

"The finish line of this World Cup event was a death trap," said Danson. "It is unacceptable that an elite athlete like Nik Zoricic can make a perfect landing, barely miss the finish line by one meter and be killed for it."

Danson illustrated frame-by-frame video of Zoricic’s approach off the last jump and into the finish, supporting the family’s belief that the Grindelwald course and finish area were improperly designed.

The attorney maintained that all three of the skiers approaching the final jump were in perfect position, but due to lack of adequate landing space at the right side of the finish where the jump directs them, Zoricic was forced to land a full meter outside the line in snow conditions he described as "crud."

Danson emphasized that Zoricic was not only in perfect position launching off the jump, but also while in the air and that he landed in complete control.

"If this had been groomed like any other course anywhere, he would be alive today," said Danson, who also suggested the protective fencing at the finish was inadequate.

"After he hits [the fencing] he is tossed into the air, into a snowbank, at the finish line. This is like a brick wall. This isn’t soft snow. NikZoricic was killed instantly," he added.

The family is not currently pursuing legal action, instead requesting a comprehensive, independent investigation of the event.

"We don’t trust anything at this point," said Danson. "We reach for answers and all we get is silence. It suggests gross negligence. At this stage there is no reason to have confidence in any investigation. Wewantthem to understand that the entire world is watching."

FIS Responds

A day after Danson’s press conference, FIS issued a statement in response to media inquiries regarding progress of an investigation by the appropriate parties.

"An official investigation into the accident in Grindelwald is being undertaken by the Swiss police and state authorities. In view of the upcoming FIS Committee Meetings and Congress at the end of May, we approached the authorities to ask about the timeline for determining the outcome of the investigation and were advised that the preliminary timeline will be assessed at the end of May or beginning of June," reads Thursday’s statement.

"It is the goal of FIS to try to prevent similar accidents occurring in the future and considerable work is being undertaken through the Injury Surveillance System."

FIS added: "To emphasize the importance of athlete safety and oversee the various different activities that have been going on and continue to develop in respect of all FIS disciplines, it is foreseen that a member of the FIS Council will be appointed to oversee this area of activity."

Skicross will be contested in Olympic competition for the second time at the Sochi 2014 Winter Games.

Written by Brian Pinelli

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