Dear Ski Friends,

It is a great privilege to serve as FIS President and to work alongside the FIS team and the entire FIS family.

We have already delivered on a long list of initiatives, which pave the way for building a stronger FIS. And we continue to work tirelessly to fully modernize snowsports and lead it into a bright and successful future.

How?

We want to increase our participation numbers.

FIS in uniquely positioned to deliver value and knowledge to its members. We need to explore opportunities to further develop our educational programmes and share best practices. When we talk about our sport having enormous potential, we are talking about the so-called big nations but equally about the less developed ones. To grow participation in recreational and competitive skiing and snowboarding, it is essential to promote snow sports around the globe because its progression is only just beginning.
Let us use that potential.

We want to increase our reach.

Consumers and fans are spoiled for choice, and we must create formats that captivate the audience and thrill fans back home in their living rooms as well as via tablets and phones while on the road. We see benefits flowing to our athletes and our stakeholders by delivering a quadrennial FIS Games, which could be held between the Olympic Cycles. Having in mind that 52% of the Olympic medals are awarded in our competitions, this would be a fantastic opportunity to unite FIS athletes across all disciplines, showcase the diversity and strengths of our sport and increase our income and engagement. Further, our athletes will benefit from content creation and sharing with fans, creating a path for sponsors to reward athletes to a greater extent.
Let us spread our wings.

We want to stay attractive to the youth.

Digitalization is key but also our ongoing efforts to make our sport sustainable. Our goal is to become a leader in sustainability and carbon reductions. We also want to place great emphasis on the health and well-being of our athletes and create a framework in which the talents of tomorrow can grow and develop in a healthy environment.
Let us keep that in mind.

And we want to increase our revenues.

The main pillar to achieve this is the centralization of our World Cup media and broadcast rights. Only then we can take control of our own destiny again and turn our vision for the sport into reality. It will increase our financial resources significantly and will benefit all – member associations, athletes and stakeholders.
Let us take that chance.

There is so much we can achieve if we work together and aim higher.

Let us keep up the momentum and continue down the path to improve our sport and make it as modern, inclusive and attractive as possible.

Sincerely,
Johan Eliasch
FIS President