Longstanding FIS Officials Walter Hofer & Joe Fitzgerald Retire

Two eras at FIS came to their conclusion on 31st May 2020: Ski Jumping Race Director Walter Hofer and Freestyle Coordinator Joe Fitzgerald had their official last days as FIS employees.

Walter Hofer retired from the position of Ski Jumping Race Director after 28 years having been at the helm of Ski Jumping since 1992 and earned widespread respect by leading the sport to great popularity. Hofer was also in charge of development of Nordic Combined from 2008 until 2012. Sandro Pertile (ITA), a highly experienced Ski Jumping official and organiser was appointed to the position in June 2019. 

Joe Fitzgerald retired after 21 years as Freestyle Race Director and Coordinator after 20 years in charge of the discipline of Freestyle Skiing at seven Winter Olympic Games, 13 World Championships and some 1,192 competitions at 106 locations. He will remain committed to the sport in different consulting missions for future organisers. Andrea Rinaldi (SUI) has taken on the position of Freestyle Moguls and Aerials Race Director

“We wish to express the sincerest thanks of FIS and especially the disciplines of Ski Jumping and Freestyle Skiing to thank both Walter and Joe for all their dedicated engagement over the past years and decades. They have both contributed tremendously the development of the disciplines and this was also recognised by the Committees, Organisers and National Ski Associations during the recent FIS Committee Meetings with some moving tributes. Their professional work during the handover to their successors during the past competition season and this spring has been exemplary and enabled both disciplines to prepare in the best way possible for a new phase”, said FIS Secretary General Sarah Lewis.