Alexander Ospelt has been elected as the President of the FIS, defeating former President Johan Eliasch

FIS General Assembly. Picture: FIS / Action Press / Marko Djokovic

On June 11, at the 57th FIS Congress in Belgrade, Liechtenstein's Alexander Ospelt won the presidency of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) by a single vote, defeating the incumbent Johan Eliasch. Eliasch, who was campaigning for another four-year term, received 64 votes, while Ospelt secured 65 votes, with no abstentions recorded during the FIS congress held in Belgrade.

The British-Swedish businessman who owns the Head sports goods business represented Georgia in his re-election bid after both the British and the Swedish ski federations did not support his candidacy.

"As the result shows, we are still divided; my task will be to unite everyone," said the new President after the election.

Ospelt, a 58-year-old lawyer, was supported by the major associations like Austria, Norway, Italy, Switzerland, Canada, and the USA.

With Ospelt elected for a four-year term at the helm, representatives of the major national federations hope that calm, objectivity, and transparency will return to the FIS. Before the election, they had strongly criticized Eliasch's leadership style.

The former president of the Liechtenstein Ski Association is already very familiar with the FIS, having served on its Council for the past two years.

Alexander Ospelt will become the sixth FIS president after Ivar Holmquist (Sweden, 1924 to 1934), Nikolai Ramm Oestgaard (Norway, 1934 to 1951), Marc Hodler (Switzerland, 1951 to 1998), Gian Franco Kasper (Switzerland, 1998 to 2021), and Johan Eliasch (2021 to 2026).

Alexander Ospelt, President of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS). Picture: FIS / Action Press / Marko Djokovic

Ospelt underlined his intention to listen to the National Ski Associations (NSAs) and to athletes, to get a deeper understanding of the issues they are experiencing. He recognizes, for instance, that skiers in the World Cup are demanding higher prize money, and he plans to address this issue as well.

His main goal is to enhance FIS products, making them more appealing while attracting additional sponsors, investors, and revenue streams. Under his leadership, the FIS aims to achieve better financial health than it has in recent years. He has specific ideas for Alpine Skiing, the organization’s flagship sport: "We are currently engaged in many discussions. We need to find the right TV format. We need to create a TV format that lasts no longer than 1 hour and 50 minutes. We must increase the visibility of the skiers and promote them more effectively. People want to see stars. Additionally, we need to expand our international presence." He believes that hosting competitions with only athletes from the largest skiing nations is neither economically viable nor conducive to growth.

Voting for 18 members of the FIS Council has also been held at the Congress, with the following candidates elected (names listed in order of number of votes received):

Dr. Michael Huber (AUT)

Flavio Roda (ITA)

Magdalena Kast (ARG)

Deidra Dionne (CAN)

Tove Moe Dyrhaug (NOR)

Fabien Saguez (FRA)

Ken Odashima (JPN)

Dr. Franz Steinle (GER)

Dexter Paine (USA)

Patrick Toussaint (AND)

Victoria Gosling (GBR)

Jean-Philippe Rochat (SUI)

May Peus (ESP)

Zhao Wang (CHN)

Nevena Ignjatović (SRB)

Martti Uusitalo (FIN)

Tomaž Kunstelj (SLO)

Jana Palovičová (SVK)

The FIS Council, together with the president, is responsible for the philosophy of snow sports, its image, and its development.