European Ski Federation makes its intentions known

ZÜRICH, Switzerland — The newly formed European Ski Federation (ESF) was fashioned to have a “single voice in the interests of European skiing,” according to the founding members of four ski sport national governing bodies. The Federation was created by the leaders of the Austrian, French, Italian, and Swiss ski federations.

Speaking at a press conference here, Peter Schröcksnadel – President of the Austrian Federation – who will head the upstart organization, said that the current economic situation dictated that the European central alpine nations stand together to help the ailing ski industry.
ZÜRICH, Switzerland — The newly formed European Ski Federation (ESF) was fashioned to have a “single voice in the interests of European skiing,” according to the founding members of four ski sport national governing bodies. The Federation was created by the leaders of the Austrian, French, Italian, and Swiss ski federations.

Speaking at a press conference here, Peter Schröcksnadel – President of the Austrian Federation – who will head the upstart organization, said that the current economic situation dictated that the European central alpine nations stand together to help the ailing ski industry.

The ESF association, according to its press release, will deal with all aspects of skiing (alpine, nordic and snowboard).  As stated the ESF mission includes the following points.
    
     ESF will ensure that the needs of interested groups (associations, athletes, support staff, equipment) will be addressed
      It will represent the European “ski family” companies
      It will retain and foster cooperation with the FIS, the SRS (Ski Racing Suppliers), ski areas and sport organizers
      ESF will monitor and promote the development of European ski and snowboard sport.
      ESF will organize and implement international ski and snowboard competitions at all levels

The European Union has been involved in several pan-Europe sports programs, including the European football league whose Champions League just concluded with a victory by Barcelona over Manchester United, the European handball league and a European basketball league.

According to Klaus Leistner, Secretary General of the Austrian Ski Federation, the European Union has funding available to launch the effort, the union was involved with getting the above mentioned sports circuits started, he added.

Despite the fact that some feel the newly formed association is a direct threat to the FIS, the plans call for cooperation between the two entities.

“The four presidents of the founding governing bodies visited Monday” said Sarah Lewis, Secretary General of the FIS. “They explained their goal was to help each other deal with the financial crisis.”  She went on to say that the group expressed their desire to cooperate with the international governing body.

The ESF will hold its first event this fall. Billed as a promotion for ski sport, it will be held at an indoor ski complex in the north of France.