FIS MEDIA INFO: Changes to FIS Nordic Combined staff

Oberhofen, 05.09.2012//--On Saturday 1st September 2012 at the Summer Grand Prix in Oberstdorf (GER), Ulrich “Uli” Wehling served as FIS Nordic Combined Race Director for the final time after 20 years of loyal and dedicated service to the International Ski Federation and the sport of Nordic Combined.

Having joined FIS in Oberhofen on 1st September 1992, Uli has led the sports technical and administrative sides of Nordic Combined as the FIS Race Director for two decades. During this period, which has included 400 competitions at World Cup and Grand Prix levels, as well as five Olympic Winter Games, 10 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships and 15 FIS Nordic Junior World Ski Championships, he dutifully never missed a day of attendance.

Honoured by the Nordic Combined coaches in Oberstdorf on Friday evening, President of the German Ski Association and FIS Council Member, Alfons Hörmann paid tribute to Uli’s career as an athlete and sports official in Germany. The most decorated athlete in the history of Nordic Combined, Uli Wehling won three Olympic gold medals on three continents in Sapporo 1972, Innsbruck 1976 and Lake Placid 1980. In addition to the World Champion titles that were awarded at these competitions too, he also claimed gold in Falun 1974 and bronze in Lahti 1978. From 1980 he served as Scientific Assistant at the DDR Ski Association and from 1982, as Deputy Secretary General. In the spring of 1990 he was elected as its President and led its integration into the German Ski Association. Furthermore, Uli was presented with the Olympic Order in bronze by Juan-Antonio Samaranch in 1983.

Chairman of the Nordic Combined Committee and FIS Council Member Roman Kumpost went on to praise Uli’s dedication to the sport and stated that “his child” is now grown up and ready to find its way in the world. The FIS staff took the opportunity to pay tribute to Uli on Monday 3rd September during a relaxed grill evening. Fellow gold medallist from Sapporo 1972 and Chairman of the Alpine Committee Bernhard Russi was also in attendance.

Over the coming winter season, Uli Wehling will provide support for various different operational aspects. He will also have more time to spend with his family, including wife Evi (4th in Luge at the Olympic Winter Games Innsbruck 1972) and especially their nearly one-year-old grandson Konrad Mattes.

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Lasse Ottesen (NOR), will succeed Uli as FIS Nordic Combined Race Director having served as Nordic Combined Coordinator since 1st May 2011. Lasse will be supported by Jan Rune Grave (NOR) as Assistant Race Director and Guntram Kraus (GER) as Equipment Controller. New to the FIS Nordic Combined World Cup team will be Silke Tegethof (GER) as Media Coordinator. Toni Guggemoos (GER) will continue in his role as Continental Cup Coordinator whilst the administrative tasks are efficiently handled by Annemarie Friedrich (SUI) as long-serving Nordic Assistant in the FIS Office and Judith Lessing.

Lasse will lead the discipline and be the main contact person for the Organisers, as well as handling calendar planning, TV coordination and starting times as well as the rules, whilst Jan Rune will manage the competition and support the Organisers and event on site. Guntram is responsible for controlling and implementing the rules in relation to equipment and materials. Silke will manage the mixed zone, and drive the Nordic Combined communications and media relations.

About FIS

FIS is the governing body for international skiing and snowboarding, founded in 1924 during the first Olympic Games in Chamonix, France. Recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), FIS manages the Olympic disciplines of Alpine Skiing, Cross-Country Skiing, Ski Jumping, Nordic Combined, Freestyle Skiing and Snowboarding, including setting the international competition rules. Through its 115 member nations, more than 6’500 FIS ski and snowboard competitions are staged annually. Specific initiatives are undertaken by FIS to promote snow activities as a healthy leisure recreation, notably for the young.

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