Leaders

03Feb 2020 by DS News Team

Elena Vyalbe Becomes New Chairperson Of Russian Ski Association

Elena Vyalbe just got an important additional job. To her exisiting titles of the chairwoman of the Russian cross country ski federation (since 2010) and the senior coach of the national team (since 2012) she adds the one of a chairwoman of the whole Russian Ski Association (RSA). RSA is an umbrella organization that includes four sports federations that act rather independently: Alpine Skiing & Snowboard, Freestyle, Ski Jumping & Nordic Combined and, of course, Cross-Country Ski. This is a standard national organizational chart, in a way mimicking the FIS' own structure. National Association president title carries not just a lot of prestige, but quite a bit of weight as well - NA presidents are the ones who officially represent their countries in the International Ski Federation (FIS) . As…

31Jan 2020 by DS News Team

ISPO As Reflection Of Where Industry Is Going. And Not Going

Gear News, Leaders, Newsfeed

What do you want to hear first, good things or bad? Let's start with good: - There were some notable product unveilings e.g. Redline 3.0 by Madshus, Triac 4.0 by Swix and all-new SK Course boots & S1/2/3 skis by Rossignol. - Budding Russian label Spine brought its 3D foot scanner and had Petter Northug bare his extremities to demonstrate how Custom Fit technology works in practice. - Northug himself had a very lively stand featuring just his glasses so far, but ambitions to expand into textiles etc. are clearly there. - Kaestle is burgeoning on cash injection and market expertise of its new Czech owners. - KV+ had a large (but rather fortress-like designed i.e. lots of walls with one entrance) segment indicating company's robust health. ...But you know,…

29Jan 2020 by DS News Team

Åge Skinstad, Quick Portrait

Leaders, Newsfeed

There are captains of industry - and there is a " captain of the captains of industry" Meet Åge Skinstad. It would be hard to find a person who had and continues to have a bigger impact on the development of the Norwegian cross country skiing in this century ( and the international skiing by extension). Norwegian national team coach, television commentator, top lobbyist - and now CEO of Brav, a multi-million dollar corporation that owns Swix and Toko among the others. " Acting CEO" Mr.Skinstad likes to stress - he only agreed to fill the shoes temporarily, while the owners are searching for replacement for a previous boss, who abruptly resigned last year. But he will stay with Brav once that task is accomplished and stir Swix and Toko…

20Jan 2020 by DS News Team

Justyna Kowalczyk – In Her Own Words

Leaders, Newsfeed

Hard to overestimate the role Justyna Kowalczyk played for the sport of cross country skiing this century. Fantastic results on the tracks made it clear that talented and committed athlete even from non-skiing nation could win, repeatedly and convincigly. Justyna's openness and polite directness made her a true household name in Poland and well beyond that. With the athletes of the statute and the recognition of Ms.Kowalczyk it is common to retire with a directorship on the board of some large corporation, to land a lucrative contract on television and to sell the book rights. In other words - to exploit well-deserved fame Yet Justyna Kowalczyk is still on the ski tracks, in remote training camps, freezing by the side watching "her girls", the group she and her coach Alexander…

13Jan 2020 by DS News Team

Skiing Suffering From Acute Case Of Wrong Marketing?

Leaders, Newsfeed

What do most people associate the skiing with? Majority would conjure up images of snowy forests and all that stuff we're about to lose to global warming, man-made or otherwise. OK, not to lose - but it shrank already and looks like it would keep on shrinking. What do you see on the picture here? We'll tell you what, bluntly: a bunch of very muscular men at the prime of their lives, all ready, willing and able not only to run to the max but to push and shove if necessary. On eco-farmed snow. With hundreds of people on the stands drinking their beer watching the ski show with AC/DC tune blasting to the max. It's a show, ok? Nobody goes to an NFL match expecting to watch flag football.…

Category: Leaders