The General Assembly of the 53rd International Ski Congress was held on 26th May in Milan (ITA). The day was highlighted by the election of the FIS President and Council in addition to a full agenda with many key decisions. Below is recap of the main decisions.
FIS President Johan Eliasch re-elected
FIS President Johan Eliasch was the sole candidate for the FIS presidency and was re-elected by for his second term by the FIS Congress. Eliasch was first elected last year and due to the timing of that Congress had a shortened term of just one year. The upcoming term will be for the full four years.
Eliasch commented, “I want to thank the FIS Family for their support and trust. The past year has shown that this can, and must, only be the beginning. I am grateful and excited for this clear mandate to continue our path to lead snow sports into a bright and successful future.”
New FIS Council elected
The following individuals were elected to the FIS Council for a two-year term, 2022-2024 (listed in alphabetical order). It was the first time since the new FIS Statutes were adopted that the small nation rule (one, one vote nation representative and one two-vote nation representative) and minimum gender rule (minimum three of either gender) were in effect.
ARJES Mats (SWE) * - 96 Votes
DIONNE Deidra (CAN) - 107 Votes
GOSPER Dean (AUS)* - 102 Votes
KAST Magdalena (ARG) - 96 Votes
KUMPOST Roman (CZE)* - 98 Votes
LEHMANN Urs (SUI)* - 107 Votes
MINEV Tzeko (BUL)* - 81 Votes
MURASATO Aki (JPN)* - 103 Votes
ORTLIEB Patrick (AUT) - 105 Votes
PIGELET Anne-Chantal (FRA) - 84 Votes
RODA Flavio (ITA)* - 114 Votes
ROESTE Erik (NOR)* - 106 Votes
SMREKAR Enzo (SLO)* - 113 Votes
STEINLE Franz (GER)* - 93 Votes
STEVENS Fiona (NZL) - 78 Votes
TOUSSAINT Patrick (AND) - 83 Votes
UUSITALO Martti (FIN)* - 99 Votes
ZHENG Liangcheng (CHN)* - 85 Votes
The maximum number of votes available: 117 votes.
* denotes an incumbent Council member.
Key Decisions approved by the FIS Congress
The following proposals were approved by the delegates at the General Assembly:
FIS Name change
The delegates approved changing the official name of FIS to include ‘Snowboard. The new name of the organisation is the International Ski and Snowboard Federation. The acronym of the organisation will remain FIS.
FIS to take over governance of Para Snowsports
The delegates approved that FIS would take over the governance of para snow sports from the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). This would include all Alpine, Snowboard and Cross-Country events. Further information on this decision will be communicated at a later date after FIS and the IPC discuss the details and timeline of the governance transfer.
Athletes’ Commission term length
The FIS Athletes’ Commission term length was increased from two years to four years to give the representatives more time to fully integrate into their roles.
Honorary Membership
Retiring Vice President Peter Schroecksnadel (AUT) and Vice President Dexter Paine (USA) were named Honorary Members of FIS by acclimation and both received standing ovations.
FIS Membership
Three three new associate members and two new full members were approved. Please note the Ski Association of Slovakia is replacing the Slovakia Ski Association.
Saudi Winter Sport Federation – Associate Member
Uruguayan Ski and Snowboard Federation – Associate Member
Ski and Snowboard Association of Thailand – Full Member
United Arab Emirates Snow and Ice Sports Federation – Full Member
Ski Association of Slovakia – Full Member
Financial and administrative decisions
As part of the statutory business the Congress approved the accounts and reports of the auditors from the previous financial period.
Upcoming International Ski Congresses
As per the new FIS Statutes, the FIS Congress will now take place every year, instead of once every two years. The odd numbered years will be held online, while the even number years will be held in-person. In line with the Statutes, the 54th International Ski Congress will take place next Spring online. The FIS Council granted the hosting rights for the 55th International Ski Congress in 2024 to Reykjavik, Iceland.
FIS SnowKidz Award 2022 Results
The FIS “Bring Children to Snow” international campaign to engage and encourage the younger generations to winter sports rewarded the recipients of the 7th FIS SnowKidz Award. The winner went to Sweden’s Campaign ‘Everyone on Snow’