The FIS Calendar Conference is underway in Bulgaria ©FIS

The International Ski Federation’s (FIS) annual Calendar Conference has got underway in the Bulgarian city of Varna, attended by over 750 delegates from the sport.

The Cross-Country Executive Board, the Freestyle Skiing and Snowboard Coordination Groups and the PR & Mass Media Committee all held meetings on the opening day.

Candidates for the various 2020 and 2021 FIS World Ski Championships are due to be briefed on Friday (June 5).

These include the Slovenian resort of Planica, the sole bidder for the 2020 FIS Ski Flying World Championships and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, which is aiming to stage the 2021 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships.

There are three candidates for the 2021 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships, including Oberstdorf in Germany, the Norwegian city of Trondheim and Planica, and detailed bids must be submitted to the FIS by September this year.

The FIS Council will then elect their chosen hosts of the 2020 and 2021 FIS World Championships at the 50th International Ski Congress on June 9 next year in Cancun, Mexico.

The Conference will include more than 40 meetings and concludes with the FIS Council on Sunday
The Conference will include more than 40 meetings and concludes with the FIS Council on Sunday ©FIS

On Saturday (June 6) at the Calendar Conference, the World Cup Organisers' Seminar will take place, which incorporates all of the FIS disciplines.

Around 40 meetings are due to follow, and the event is due to conclude on Sunday (June 7) with the FIS Council meeting.

The FIS Council meeting will deal with some of the main issues that have arisen in the sport over the past 12 months and they will confirm the World Cup schedule for next season.

Membership applications from new National Ski Associations will also be considered and the host of the 2018 FIS Congress will be decided.