The first world champion in ladies’ ski cross, Karin Huttary is the female Freestyle representative on the FIS Athletes’ Commission. Besides four World Cup triumphs and a total of 16 World Cup podiums, the 32-year-old Innsbruck resident won World Championship silver in ski cross at Inawashiro 2009. She is currently recovering from a serious injury but hopes to participate in ski cross’s Olympic premiere in Vancouver.

What does it mean to you to have been elected as member of the FIS Athletes Commission?

Karin Huttary: It is a great honor for me and I’m proud to be part of the Commission with great athletes who represent the best interests of athletes from each FIS Olympic discipline. This is also a commission that wants to make a difference.

What are your goals with the Athletes Commission and how do you plan to go about achieving those?

Karin Huttary: My personal goal is to help athletes by making their life better and easier during and also after their career. Since I have been in the fortunate situation to finish my studies during my active career, I can see how many opportunities suddenly open for the future. My goal is to push and help create possibilities for athletes to work on their education during their career. This, as I know, is not always easy.

Since our first meeting in May, our Commission has had a face-to-face working session and some follow up using Skype. We have agreed on matters that are near and dear to us as athletes and competitors, and are looking forward to work on topics like:

• Protection and support for severely injured athletes
• Protection of athletes’ rights via external 3rd party arbitration 
• Develop programs and gather ideas to assist athletes as they transition from athletic life into a non-athletic workforce
• Education in regards to all matters that relate to Anti-Doping
• Minimum standards for World Cup organizers
• Recruit and engage youth
• Develop programs and/or platforms for athletes to directly engage fans

Right now we are doing some research and looking to find the right persons who are willing to assist us in the different matters. For more detailed information please visit our community Democraski here.

You also engage for the first Winter Youth Olympic Games as the Director of Athlete Experience. Could you imagine following in the footsteps of former athletes such as Pernilla Wiberg, Manuela Di Centa or Sergej Bubka who have made a second career in sports administration?

Karin Huttary: Yes, why not?! I’ve enjoyed working with the Winter Youth Olympics here in Innsbruck and as an athlete I think I have a lot of knowledge and experience to share. Following in the footsteps of Pernilla Wiberg or Sergej Bubka seems like very big steps at the moment while my active ski cross career is the most important thing.
What´ll happen after that? We’ll see!

Your event, ski cross, will make its Olympic premiere in Vancouver. What does that mean to you and what are your goals as an athlete?

Karin Huttary: After many years and a lot of hard work in ski cross, it most certainly feels like we made it big. Since I have been part of much of the development of this new sport, I feel really proud to participate in the Olympics. And as for any athlete in the Games, it is all about the medals, isn’t it? The heavier the better…

The first world champion in ladies’ ski cross, Karin Huttary is the female Freestyle representative on the FIS Athletes’ Commission. Besides four World Cup triumphs and a total of 16 World Cup podiums, the 32-year-old Innsbruck resident won World Championship silver in ski cross at Inawashiro 2009. She is currently recovering from a serious injury but hopes to participate in ski cross’s Olympic premiere in Vancouver.

What does it mean to you to have been elected as member of the FIS Athletes Commission?

Karin Huttary: It is a great honor for me and I’m proud to be part of the Commission with great athletes who represent the best interests of athletes from each FIS Olympic discipline. This is also a commission that wants to make a difference.

What are your goals with the Athletes Commission and how do you plan to go about achieving those?

Karin Huttary: My personal goal is to help athletes by making their life better and easier during and also after their career. Since I have been in the fortunate situation to finish my studies during my active career, I can see how many opportunities suddenly open for the future. My goal is to push and help create possibilities for athletes to work on their education during their career. This, as I know, is not always easy.

Since our first meeting in May, our Commission has had a face-to-face working session and some follow up using Skype. We have agreed on matters that are near and dear to us as athletes and competitors, and are looking forward to work on topics like:

• Protection and support for severely injured athletes
• Protection of athletes’ rights via external 3rd party arbitration 
• Develop programs and gather ideas to assist athletes as they transition from athletic life into a non-athletic workforce
• Education in regards to all matters that relate to Anti-Doping
• Minimum standards for World Cup organizers
• Recruit and engage youth
• Develop programs and/or platforms for athletes to directly engage fans

Right now we are doing some research and looking to find the right persons who are willing to assist us in the different matters. For more detailed information please visit our community Democraski here.

You also engage for the first Winter Youth Olympic Games as the Director of Athlete Experience. Could you imagine following in the footsteps of former athletes such as Pernilla Wiberg, Manuela Di Centa or Sergej Bubka who have made a second career in sports administration?

Karin Huttary: Yes, why not?! I’ve enjoyed working with the Winter Youth Olympics here in Innsbruck and as an athlete I think I have a lot of knowledge and experience to share. Following in the footsteps of Pernilla Wiberg or Sergej Bubka seems like very big steps at the moment while my active ski cross career is the most important thing.
What´ll happen after that? We’ll see!

Your event, ski cross, will make its Olympic premiere in Vancouver. What does that mean to you and what are your goals as an athlete?

Karin Huttary: After many years and a lot of hard work in ski cross, it most certainly feels like we made it big. Since I have been part of much of the development of this new sport, I feel really proud to participate in the Olympics. And as for any athlete in the Games, it is all about the medals, isn’t it? The heavier the better…