The new timing chip will be attached to a skiers boot ©FIS

A new chip attached to a skiers boot introduced by the International Ski Federation (FIS) Alpine World Cup partner Longines has been hailed as a technological innovation "pushing the limits of timekeeping".

The chip, to be worn during competition, will come equipped with a radar and motion sensor

This will enable the real-time and continuous measurement of the athlete’s speed, acceleration and deceleration, including the time it takes to reach 100 kilometres per hour.

It will also be able to analyse the speed and trajectory of jumps.

Data will be presented in television graphics to viewers at home, as well as to spectators attending the competitions and to the athletes themselves..

It will help athletes "analyse their performances with ever-increasing precision".


The new technology was showcased at last week's FIS World Cup season opener in the Austrian resort of Soelden.

It will not be officially launched until next year's FIS Alpine World Championships taking place in St. Moritz, due to be held from from February 6 until 19.

Longines is the Official Partner and "Official Watch" of the event as well as the Official Timing and Data Partner of FIS.

The Swiss-based luxury watch giants have been involved in Alpine ski racing since 1933.

They have always been a "leader" in the field of timekeeping, it is claimed, "pushing its expertise to the highest levels to measure the exploits of skiers".