Article I

a) Independently of all other existing press associations, the International Ski Club of Journalists (SCIJ) has as its object the sustaining and fostering of personal and friendly links between colleagues of the international media, irrespective of politics and nationality. The SCIJ will take steps to promote cultural and intellectual exchanges between countries' delegations, always remembering that their essential setting is that of skis and mountains.

b) SCIJ is composed of national sections, which represent journalists in countries recognized by the International Olympics Committee.

c) SCIJ is a non-political, non-profit organisation, which may not distribute income or any assets to its members, officers or other ersons.

Article II

The SCIJ consists of the following executive bodies:

a) General Assembly: The General Assembly, which is paramount, consists of representatives duly elected by the national ski clubs of the member countries, on the basis of one vote per country. It sits during each annual meeting as a general assembly; an extraordinary assembly may be summoned on the authority of the International Committee or at the request of at least five member nations. The presence of representatives of two thirds of the member countries constitutes a quorum. If there is not a quorum, the assembly can legally convene thirty minutes after the official opening. Decisions or recommendations are made by majority vote at ordinary or extraordinary general assemblies. Voting by proxy is not admissible. Any modification of the statutes can only be put forward at an extraordinary general assembly, following a request to the president at least three months before the meeting of the ordinary general assembly. Decisions of such modifications require a two thirds majority vote, and take effect at the end of the meeting at which the general assembly took place. Ordinary and extraordinary meetings of the general assembly are presided over by the president of the International Committee or, in his absence, by one member of the International Committee. In the event of an equal vote, the president has the casting vote.

b) International Committee: The International Committee is responsible for the running of the club. It consists of a president, four vice-presidents and a secretary-general. Members of the committee are elected by the ordinary general assembly for four years at a time; their term may be renewed. These positions are honorary and imply no remuneration whatsoever. The I.C. may authorise the expenditure of funds at its disposal to carry out its duties. The Secretary General will give an account of the activities of the I.C. and of all expenditure to the General Assembly. The I.C. may not borrow money.

c) Elections: Elections will be conducted by secret ballot, in accordance with procedures established by the International Committee. Each member country shall have one vote for each vacancy. The candidates elected shall be those with more votes than any others. In the event of an equal vote, a further ballot will be held to decide between the tied candidates. The number of votes for each candidate shall be published by the Secretary General.

d) The President represents SCIJ in any relationship with third parties, and may take executive decisions on the conduct of SCIJ business after consulting the Secretary General and the I.C. The President will report to the General Assembly on the activities of SCIJ.

 

Article IX

The duration of the SCIJ has no time limits. An extraordinary General Assembly may decide to dissolve the Club only with the approval of at least three fourths of the Captains of the National SCIJ Sections. The request for a General Assembly to dissolve the SCIJ must be presented in a letter to the President, signed by at least two thirds of national section Captains. If the SCIJ is dissolved, the General Assembly will decide how to use any residual funds in favour of other associations or clubs with aims similar to those of the SCIJ.

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Article I

Annual meetings of the SCIJ constitute the principal activity of the club and have as their aim the promotion of friendly contacts through skiing.

 

Article II

Applications to organize the annual meeting must first be tendered to the International Committee at least two years ahead, and then approved during an ordinary general assembly, and its date, place and any cost to participants must be specified at that time. Any subsequent change of location or date will be decided by the International.

Article III

Prospective organizers of any annual meeting must be able to fulfil the following conditions:

a) be able to receive up to 250 representatives (including members of honour and special guests) from all of the member nations of the SCIJ;

b) undertake to lodge the SCIJ participants for at least 7 days and 6 nights;

c) allow participants free access to all methods of uphill mechanical transport;

d) prepare the ski slopes for practices and competitions;

e) provide prizes for the first three finishers in each event at each level (junior, senior, super-senior), for both men and women. The first three in each division, men and women, also receive prizes for the combination (giant slalom and cross-country);

j) take steps to facilitate the access of every delegation to the annual meeting (customs, visa, inland transportation, etc.). The above points constitute part of a global contract to be signed by the three organs: the resort organizing committee, the national ski-club and the International Committee.

 

Article IV

The International Committee allocates between 1 and 12 places to each nation for each annual meeting. This quota can vary according to two principles:

1. The number of fulltime journalists of the national ski-club;

2. Record for organization of past and future international meetings and readiness of its members to undertake national and international activities.

If the number of invitations exceeds 250 or if a country does not take up its full allocation, the balance of invitations will be allocated by the International Committee with the organizers.

 

Article V

Participants must abide by the following provisions:

a) national ski clubs should choose for meetings delegations which are representative of the various branches of their national media including different categories of journalist (reporter, editor, photographer etc), and in particular a minimum participation of one-third women and one-half members under the age of 45, bearing in mind the sporting capacities of their members; the International Committee may demand changes in delegations which do not meet these requirements;

b) participants must respect the customs for the host country and follow the entire program of the organizers;

c) the captain or the leader of each delegation is responsible for forwarding two copies of each report (articles, broadcast, telecasts, films, photographs) to the member assigned by the International Committee;

d) participants in international meetings have to pay a registration fee of €50. The leaders of the delegations have to collect the money and pay the corresponding amount directly, before each meeting, to the account of the SCIJ;

e) competitors take part in meetings at their own risk; they must be insured against accidents under the arrangement in force in their own country.

 

Article VI

The International Committee reserves the right to allocate places payable or not, to deserving guests, and organizers of future international meetings.

Article VII

In addition to races, international round table discussions can be organized at meetings. The subjects for discussion may be proposed by the host country and must be approved by the International Committee.

 

Article VIII

Each year, at least six months before the international meeting, a delegation of the International Committee is invited to visit the ski areas by the host ski resort, in order to meet with organizers, and to ensure that statutes and regulations of the SCIJ are applied. A contract will be counter-signed by the three organs: the resort organizing committee, the national ski-club and the International Committee of SCIJ.

Article IX

An extraordinary assembly required by the statutes of SCIJ, can be convened during an annual meeting, or can be organised by the IC as a summer meeting. Generally two delegates from each national section are invited to a summer meeting.

 

Article X

Technical regulations for races are determined and published by the International Committee.

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Article I

Two competitive events must be included in the programme of the meetings:

- a giant slalom (one single run) which counts for the combination;

- a cross-country, which also counts for the combination. There may be other races which are optional and do not count for the combination.

 

Article II

Competitors must take part in both official races (giant slalom and cross-country).

Article III

For the giant slalom the starting order must take into consideration the skiing capabilities of the competitors. Depending on the number of entries, competitors will be split into groups of thirty. The composition of these groups will be based on the results of previous races, with priority for the most recent results. Any competitor taking part in the races for the first time will be placed in the third group whatever his ability. Any past competitor of European or World Cup will only be permitted to enter the official SCIJ races ten years after his last international competition.

 

Article IV

A separate classification for men and women (3 categories: junior, senior and super-senior) will be made for each race, as well as for the combination (giant slalom and cross-country). There are three age classifications:

- junior up to and including 44 years;

- senior aged 45 to 54 years;

- super-senior aged 55 years and over.

Participants become seniors or super-seniors the year in which they reach the age of 45 or 55 respectively. Only professional journalists recognised in their respective country will be classified. The others will be unclassified.

Article V

The classification is based on the points system of FIS (International Ski Federation). However for the combination (giant slalom and cross-country) the placings of the competitors in the two races are added together. The lowest total is the best. In the event of a tie, the one who placed the best in giant slalom is the winner.

 

Article VI

The giant slalom must be easy enough for all skiers, yet technically challenging for the best skiers. The racing time (category FIS B) should be about 1'20 for an average skier. The course may be different for different classifications.

Article VII

The cross-country will be of average difficulty and run over a course of 5 kilometres for men in the junior and senior classes and 3 kilometres for all women and men in the super-senior class. The length of the course may be reduced due to altitude or other factors. Skating is forbidden. Each category starts at a different time, but all competitors will start on the same line.

 

Article VIII

FIS regulations will apply to preparations of courses, safety precautions, control systems, arrival arrangements, etc, and all arrangements must be approved by a representative of the SCIJ IC before the start. Whenever possible the giant slalom will be held before the cross-country and ladies will start first.