Uros Ponikvar from Slovenia has been installed as the new head of the cross-country committee in the International Ski and Snowboard Federation, after Vegard Ulvang stepped down, in connection with the FIS congress in May, after more than 20 years.

“All national member associations nominate their candidates for the cross-country committee and for the post of chairperson. The executive board of FIS (FIS Council) appoints a new leader of the various committees. The FIS Council does this after the official FIS Congress, based on the received nominations,” explains FIS Race Director Pierre Mignerey to Langrenn.com, and continues:

“Ponikvar was appointed as Ulvang’s successor this summer. It is the new FIS board, which was elected during the controversial FIS congress in May, that has appointed the Slovenian as the committee’s new leader.”

Now Espen Bjervig is Norway’s representative in the FIS cross-country committee after Vegard Ulvang. Bjervig is one of two Norwegians on the cross-country committee: before the summer, Guri Knotten was elected Switzerland’s representative on the cross-country board.

Norway wanted Guri Knotten
From Norway’s side, however, Guri Knotten was listed as the best alternative to replace Ulvang as head of the committee.

Many, including the leader of the cross-country skiing committee in the Ski Association, Torbjørn Skogstad, had thought the 48-year-old, who was the leader of the WC application for Trondheim and was the leader of Swiss cross-country skiing for several years before that, was a natural candidate.

“Norway has had the leader for many years. Before Vegard, Odd Martinsen was manager. It is not unnatural that Guri will become the leader in the long term,” Skogstad told Adresseavisen before the summer.

Knotten thus did not reach Uros Ponikvar. The Slovenian was already in dispute for the position in 2011, as an opposing candidate to Ulvang.