Gian-Franco Kasper, FIS President for 23 years, will step down after the election of a new candidate at the FIS Virtual Congress on Friday June 4th. The new president will only be the fifth person to hold the post since the creation of the FIS in 1924. The elections come to an inflection point within the organization as it seeks to bring ski sports under. its governance in a new post-pandemic era. . Four candidates are in the running to replace Kasper as world leader in skiing.
Here’s a quick look at each candidate and where they might be heading for the organization in the future.
Ã…rjes rugs
Titles: President of the Swedish Olympic Committee and Vice-President of the FIS.
Billed as the safe pair of hands to modernize FIS, Mats Ã…rjes is Kasper’s preferred successor at FIS. He brings the experience of a decade with FIS and 17 years as CEO of SkiStar, which operates the largest resorts in Scandinavia. Ã…rjes agenda is to review FIS practices, bring together stakeholders, promote skiing more widely and establish environmental standards for FIS events. As the ordinary candidate to take over the FIS, rjes presented a cautious and intermediate program which can be described as a smooth transition to a reformed FIS.
Opposition: rjes said that if elected, he will retain his role as President of the Swedish Olympic Committee and hold a dual presidency. Whether or not rjes is distracted by his duties on the Olympic Committee and the potential for conflicts of interest remain a concern. As Kasper’s privileged successor, he will have to convince delegates who seek change outside of FIS.
Pet campaign promise: environmental standards
Urs lehmann
Title: President of Ski Suisse
Lehmann runs on the promise of replicating his leadership successes at Swiss Ski, both organizationally and financially, at FIS. Lehmann believes that FIS should be run more like a business and suggests that the organizational structure is exceeded, tell SkiRacing.com this, “it got dusty over the years. “In response, he proposes to rationalize his product in the manner of the IBU.”Things have been done piecemeal, but there is no clear system.”
He also advocates changing the content of his governance, saying Inside the games, “FIS must take the lead†when it comes to major issues such as the environment, human rights and inclusion. “What about transparency? What about gender diversity? People talk about it, but there is no clear set of values ​​and ethics â€, Lehmann lamented at SkiRacing. Lehmann told Inside the Games that his solution was simple: “The FIS must take a clear stand on all these big issues.
Lehmann points to a possible source of future revenue from the game. “The key word for me is E-gamingHe said, and he points to FIFA – a popular football game – which has helped keep football’s governing body afloat financially during the pandemic.
He advocates for a more muscular approach to FIS leadership in all respects: he wants more World Cup events to take place outside of Europe, a more effective FIS that takes a firm stance on issues and a more developed financial model for sport. In short, Lehmann promises that the FIS, under his chairmanship, will lead.
Opposition: If elected, Lehmann will be the third consecutive Swiss at the head of the Swiss-led organization since 1951. The sentiment of those advocating for change suggests that it is time for the 70th anniversary of reign of Swiss men at the FIS finish. Lehmann challenged this opposition saying: “It’s not about nationality, change or skin color… This is the best person in the world to take on the role.. “
Pet Project: E-gaming
You can read more about Lehmann’s candidacy at this link.
Johan eliasch
Titles: CEO of HEAD
Eliasch, the billionaire CEO of ski company HEAD, and two-time Swedish-British citizen is campaigning as an outsider and agent of radical change in this election. Its manifesto is vast and it calls, among other things, to rethink the way ski events are produced. User-friendly production that includes night races, interactive experiences, and streaming content are all part of his plan. He would like to take the FIS racing package in the direction of the PGA or Formula 1.
He sees a larger frame of view for the FIS that engages small nations. Speaking to Skiracing, he said: “We need to create a level playing field at all levels when it comes to training opportunities, access, coach development and move away from mountaineering in Central Europe.”
In terms of governance, Eliasch offers a more active and transparent organization. He is in favor of limiting the terms of office of the President and an advisory board of experts and specialized committees. “It’s important for people, our sponsors and our stakeholders to see that we are a strong, transparent, gender-diverse, diverse, open-minded organization and that we’re going to make a difference.”
Eliasch calls for radical change to guide FIS into the 21st century, and argues that its success in the ski industry is the kind of outside know-how the organization lacks.
Opposition: Eliasch best summed up reasons for voting against him in statement to delegates reported by Skiracing: “I have a vision and I can execute it. If you don’t want a change, then I’m not your candidate. If you want change, then I am your choice. The comforts of the status quo may prove difficult to overcome for some delegates.
Pet Project: Interactive content
You can find out more about Eliasch application on this link.
Sarah lewis
Titles: Former Secretary General of the FIS
Sarah Lewis has developed a manifesto that she calls the “FIS piste mapFor the future of the organization. The piste map is part of its three-pillar strategy which will also offer national associations financial assistance to recover from losses suffered during the pandemic and reformed governance of the FIS.
She advocates for opportunities to bring private equity investments to support the Ski World Cup and is considering new revenue models, including virtual reality, suggesting to Skiracing, “How would you like to be in the eyes of this skier as she descends to Cortina?” She highlights the expansion of snow sports into new markets, with China as a key opportunity.
Opposition: Paradoxically, Lewis is seen as both the outsider and the candidate for the status quo. From 2000 to 2020, Lewis served as FIS General Secretary before being suddenly fired. “based on a complete lack of confidence”, according to a short statement from the FIS.
The FIS did not provide any further information on this subject, but Dagbladet reported that his ouster was linked to a deterioration in relations between Lewis and Kasper and other FIS officials which resulted in poor job performance due to Lewis’ time campaigning for the presidency. Lewis, on a call with the AP, said she was shocked by her dismissal, saying: “I was probably blinded by the fact that there was politics behind the scenes.â€The decision to remove her from her post by the FIS Council was reported by SVT and Nettavissen to be 15-1.
Lewis was nominated by the Belgian Ski Federation after her home federation Great Britain chose to nominate Eliasch. The Washington Times reported that she positioned herself as the world candidate with the support of Russia, China and South Korea. Whatever truth lies behind his dismissal from the FIS, a Lewis presidency risks sowing division within the organization.
Pet Project: Pandemic recovery fund for national federations
You can read more about Lewis’ candidacy at this link.
