Alexander Ospelt, a seasoned member of the FIS Council from Liechtenstein, has formally declared his candidacy for the presidency of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS), positioning himself not as a challenger to the federation’s recent strategic direction but rather as a unifier aiming to overcome internal divisions. His campaign, articulated in a recent interview with Ski Racing Media, centers on the belief that while FIS has embarked on many commendable reforms, its current state of internal fragmentation threatens its ability to fully achieve these ambitious goals. The election, scheduled for June 11th, is poised to be a pivotal moment for the global governing body of snow sports.
Ospelt’s platform is built on the premise that the FIS, despite its progressive agenda, has become "too divided to reach its destination." This observation forms the bedrock of his appeal to delegates, arguing that unity, trust, and robust governance are not merely desirable attributes but have evolved into the most pressing operational challenges facing the organization. He emphasizes that his aim is not to reverse the course set by recent leadership, but to optimize the journey, ensuring that ongoing initiatives such as expanded athlete media and sponsor rights, increased prize money, financial distributions to national ski associations, and investment in developing federations can be pursued more effectively and inclusively.
A Candidacy Rooted in Unification
The core message of Ospelt’s campaign resonates deeply with the perennial challenges faced by large, diverse international sports federations. FIS, founded in 1924, governs ten main disciplines across over 130 member nations, ranging from traditional winter sports powerhouses like Austria, Switzerland, and Norway, to emerging markets and smaller federations like his native Liechtenstein. This inherent diversity often leads to competing interests among disciplines, nations, commercial partners, and athletes. Ospelt, drawing on his background from one of the smallest member nations, views this unique perspective as an asset. "I see that we have to unify," he stated, highlighting his ambition to "build bridges" across these varied stakeholders.
His vision of unity extends beyond mere consensus, acknowledging that complete agreement on every issue within such a broad federation is an unrealistic expectation. Instead, Ospelt advocates for transparent processes that foster understanding and respect for decisions, even among those who may not fully align with the outcome. This emphasis on process over absolute agreement is critical, as it suggests a pragmatic approach to governance where trust is cultivated through clarity and fairness, rather than through the suppression of dissent. He believes that improved communication channels and more inclusive decision-making can transform unavoidable disagreements into opportunities for constructive progress, ensuring that all voices feel heard and valued within the federation.
Ospelt’s Vision for Enhanced Governance and Transparency
At the heart of Ospelt’s reform agenda lies a strong focus on governance and transparency. He contends that while FIS benefits from a wealth of expertise within its committees and technical groups, the flow of information and recommendations to the Council often becomes diluted. This administrative inefficiency can have significant consequences, potentially leading to decisions that do not fully leverage the collective wisdom on critical issues such as athlete safety, competition formats, equipment regulations, and long-term development strategies.
Ospelt proposes a more streamlined and transparent process, advocating for direct sharing of committee summaries with Council members. This seemingly administrative adjustment reflects a deeper philosophical commitment to accountability. By enhancing the visibility of expert recommendations, he aims to build greater confidence among members in the decisions made by FIS, thereby strengthening the federation’s overall credibility and operational effectiveness. Such reforms are crucial for an organization celebrating its centennial in 2024, as modern governance demands adaptability and responsiveness to its global constituency.
Financial responsibility is inextricably linked to governance in Ospelt’s vision. He advocates for reliable financial oversight, sustainable long-term planning, and the adoption of modern commercial models designed to create new value for snow sports. While supporting continued investment in athletes, national ski associations, and development initiatives, he insists that growth must be built on sound, sustainable financial foundations. This approach suggests a commitment to fiscal prudence that would ensure the longevity and stability of FIS’s initiatives.
Furthermore, Ospelt addressed the financial transparency of the presidential office itself. While acknowledging the current practice of the president serving without a salary and covering personal expenses, he pledged to analyze the situation and historical practices, emphasizing that the costs associated with the presidency should be reduced and made fully transparent. This commitment underscores his broader campaign theme of accountability, signaling a desire to lead by example in fostering an environment where all stakeholders understand how resources are allocated and decisions are made.
Empowering Athletes and National Federations
A significant pillar of Ospelt’s platform involves a renewed commitment to empowering athletes and national ski associations (NSAs). He recognizes that athletes are the lifeblood of the sport, and their visibility and welfare are paramount for future growth. Referencing the success of Formula One’s behind-the-scenes storytelling, Ospelt advocates for programs that bring athletes closer to their audiences, particularly through social media and streaming platforms. Initiatives like the Stifel U.S. Ski Team’s "Qualified" series demonstrate the power of such content in humanizing athletes and showcasing the dedication, challenges, and personalities that define their careers beyond the racecourse. By fostering deeper connections between athletes and fans, FIS can cultivate a more engaged and expanded global following.
On the financial front, Ospelt supports increasing prize money by 20%, aligning with current discussions within the federation. However, he adopts a pragmatic stance, emphasizing the necessity for collaborative discussions among FIS, athletes, and organizers to determine realistic contributions and develop a sustainable implementation plan. This approach seeks to avoid unrealistic promises, instead promoting a partnership model where improvements in athlete compensation are mutually agreed upon and financially viable for all parties involved. Such an increase could provide vital support for athletes, particularly those outside the top tiers, while enhancing the overall appeal and competitiveness of elite snow sports.
For NSAs, particularly smaller ones, Ospelt proposes a concrete initiative: the "NSA Connector Platform." This concept aims to facilitate knowledge sharing, networking, and cooperation among national federations. For large federations, access to resources and expertise might be readily available, but for smaller ones, such a platform could be invaluable. It would enable them to share best practices in coaching, event management, talent identification, and administrative processes, thereby avoiding isolation and fostering collective growth. Ospelt’s personal experience from Liechtenstein deeply informs this proposal, as he understands the challenges and opportunities faced by smaller entities within the vast FIS ecosystem. This platform could democratize access to critical information and relationships, strengthening the foundational structures of snow sports globally.
Strategic Global Expansion and Discipline Equity
Ospelt views international expansion as one of FIS’s greatest opportunities, echoing a sentiment widely shared within the federation. He asserts, "We have to show that we are world sports," advocating for a continued building upon existing strategic priorities of expanding participation and strengthening smaller federations. His approach is nuanced, suggesting that rather than imposing a uniform model, FIS should help regions identify and cultivate disciplines that best fit local interests and cultures. This adaptive strategy acknowledges the diverse appeal of snow sports, from alpine skiing in traditional markets to Nordic disciplines, freestyle skiing, snowboarding, and other variations that may resonate differently in emerging regions like China or South America.
He cited Lucas Pinheiro Braathen’s decision to compete for Brazil as an example of how individual athletes can significantly broaden the sport’s global reach and inspire new audiences. "Everybody was speaking about Lucas Braathen," Ospelt noted, underscoring the positive impact of such high-profile cross-cultural representation. His strategy for regional growth involves targeted investments in events, competition pathways, local partnerships, and long-term planning, all designed to build sustainable local ecosystems rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach. This focus on organic, culturally relevant growth is crucial for securing the long-term future of snow sports worldwide.
Furthermore, Ospelt is a strong proponent of maintaining a balanced approach across all FIS disciplines. While alpine skiing remains highly visible, he emphasizes that the overall health and future of FIS depend on robust support for the entire spectrum of snow sports. This includes Nordic disciplines (cross-country, ski jumping, Nordic combined), freestyle skiing, freeskiing, ski cross, snowboard cross, and snowboarding, all of which have distinct competitive and commercial realities. His argument is not for identical treatment, but for equal opportunities for each discipline to develop and thrive according to its unique needs and potential. This principle extends to athlete support systems, which he believes should be designed for the broader athlete community, not solely for the most commercially successful disciplines.
Addressing Modern Challenges: Climate and Commercialization
Climate change poses an existential threat to winter sports, and Ospelt recognizes the imperative for FIS to respond decisively. His primary concern revolves around travel and calendar planning. He advocates for a more logical, regionally structured competition calendar that reduces unnecessary intercontinental travel within a single season. Such a system could yield multiple benefits: lower costs for teams and organizers, a reduced environmental footprint, and more predictable planning for all stakeholders. While his comments focused on the competition calendar, the broader implications for pre-season training, often involving extensive travel to Southern Hemisphere glaciers, highlight the complex challenges FIS faces in truly decarbonizing its operations. Addressing these issues comprehensively will require a multi-faceted approach and collaboration across the entire snow sports community.
Regarding commercial strategy, Ospelt supports the recent centralization of media and marketing rights, stating, "I am in favor of that." However, his legal background—with degrees in law from the University of St. Gallen and Brussels, and a doctorate in law—informs his nuanced view on implementation. He argues that a truly centralized structure should emerge from a broader collective agreement among stakeholders rather than through a series of fragmented bilateral arrangements. While acknowledging the inherent difficulties in achieving such consensus given the competing interests of national federations, organizers, broadcasters, sponsors, and athletes, he believes a more unified commercial framework could ultimately create a stronger global product, simplify negotiations, and maximize revenue opportunities for the sport as a whole. This emphasis on a consensual, transparent process for commercial centralization reflects his broader campaign theme of fostering trust and collective action.
The Unique Appeal of Ospelt’s Candidacy
Unlike many presidential campaigns that primarily focus on distinct policy shifts, Alexander Ospelt’s candidacy is characterized by a consistent overarching theme: unity. While he discusses a wide array of critical topics—governance, international growth, athlete rights, climate concerns, commercial development, media strategy, financial responsibility, prize money, and discipline support—each discussion invariably returns to the imperative of fostering greater cohesion within FIS.
His definition of unity is sophisticated, acknowledging that disagreements are an unavoidable feature of an international federation as vast and varied as FIS. His objective is not to eradicate these differences but to establish processes that members trust and decisions that are clearly understood. Ospelt firmly believes in the value of current FIS initiatives, including strengthened athlete rights, broader international development, increased investment, and enhanced commercial opportunities. His fundamental concern is not a lack of direction within FIS, but rather that the organization’s internal divisions impede its ability to fully realize its ambitious potential.
This nuanced position underscores both the appeal and the inherent challenge of Ospelt’s campaign. As a current FIS Council member since 2024, and having served as president of the Liechtenstein Ski Association from 2016 to 2023, he brings firsthand knowledge of the federation’s operations and shares responsibility for many recent decisions. This unique vantage point allows him to champion progress he helped support while simultaneously advocating for significant improvements in governance, transparency, communication, and trust. He does not present himself as an anti-establishment figure but rather as an advocate for internal refinement, capable of navigating the complex political landscape of FIS. His observation that "there is a lot of politics going on in the FIS Council" and his desire to "shape it more so that sports is the topic we should discuss" encapsulate his call for a return to the federation’s core mission.
Alexander Ospelt is not asking delegates to abandon the trajectory FIS has pursued in recent years. Instead, he is asking them to believe that the federation can achieve far more if it addresses its internal fragmentation and operates with greater unity and trust. Whether this vision resonates with the diverse electorate of FIS members will be determined when votes are cast on June 11th, shaping the future leadership and operational philosophy of global snow sports.
