World ski president Eliasch loses election by one vote and alleges IOC influence

World Ski Federation (FIS) president Johan Eliasch was defeated in a closely contested election by Alexander Ospelt, a lawyer from Liechtenstein, who won 65-64 in the vote held in Belgrade, Serbia. Eliasch’s term as FIS president, which lasted five years, was marked by conflicts with ski nations like Austria and Switzerland over management and financial decisions. He also loses his membership on the International Olympic Committee (IOC) following the election. The election process faced significant changes, including an 88% vote to advance the presidential race to the first agenda item and a 60% vote to replace electronic voting with paper ballots. Eliasch alleged in his concession speech that the IOC attempted to influence the outcome, urging FIS to safeguard its independence. Eliasch, a billionaire and owner of the Head sports goods business, was not endorsed by Sweden or Britain—the countries of his dual citizenship—for re-election. Instead, he secured a nomination from Georgia to comply with FIS rules. His five-year tenure was characterized by ongoing disputes with European ski nations over leadership style and financial policies. Ospelt, a 55-year-old lawyer from Liechtenstein, now leads the FIS for a four-year term. The election results reflect deep divisions within the federation, with procedural changes suggesting mistrust in the administration. Eliasch’s defeat marks a shift in leadership for the organization overseeing international ski and snowboard competitions.