FIS turmoil deepens as Trinkl turns down Waldner's race director job

Trinkl turns down the top job

Ten days before the World Cup opener in Sölden, the turmoil inside the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) is deepening. After men's chief race director Markus Waldner unexpectedly stepped down, the governing body tried to fill the gap from within and was rebuffed. According to Swiss newspaper Blick, FIS offered the role to Hannes Trinkl. The 58-year-old Austrian, downhill world champion in 2001 and for the past twelve years the FIS official responsible for preparing and setting the World Cup speed courses, said no. He reportedly felt his expertise was not sufficient for the position.

Trinkl has also made his own future at FIS conditional on who gets the job. "This business is no laughing matter. It's about the health of the athletes. You have to think carefully about who you can carry that responsibility with, or not," he told Blick.

A call to bring Waldner back

Rather than stepping in himself, Trinkl delivered a pointed message to FIS leadership. "FIS should do everything it can to get Markus back, because in my eyes there is no one better for this difficult job," he was quoted as saying. Only days after Waldner's exit, Trinkl had told Austrian outlet oe24 that the resignation was "a catastrophe for the entire sport" and left open whether he would carry on. Attempts to change Waldner's mind have so far failed.

Waldner, from South Tyrol, had been chief race director for the men's tour since 2014. Officially, he cited pressure that had built up over years, telling ORF he lacked "the necessary energy and the right mindset" for another full season. Austrian media, citing the Kronen Zeitung, have also reported tension with FIS secretary general Urs Lehmann, who allegedly curtailed Waldner's responsibilities. That has not been confirmed. Given the circumstances, a return is considered unlikely.

Gerdol as stopgap

Until a successor is named, women's race director Peter Gerdol will also run the men's races on an interim basis, initially covering Sölden, Levi and Gurgl, according to Blick. Waldner is expected to support the handover during the 2026/27 season, while his future role at FIS remains undecided. A decision on his replacement is reportedly due within a week.

Teams are clearly worried about losing Trinkl too. Swiss-Ski coach Tom Stauffer praised their long collaboration: "If he really were to stop, he would be very hard to replace in that position." In the speed disciplines, where course preparation, safety netting and course setting directly affect racers' health, Trinkl is a key figure, and one known for speaking his mind. He has been just as direct about the planned World Cup downhill on the Gornergrat above Zermatt, which he calls one of the greatest projects in a long time, "but the whole thing simply has to be prepared conscientiously and properly."

A rocky start under Ospelt

The staffing crisis comes at an already unsettled time for the federation. Liechtenstein's Alexander Ospelt succeeded Johan Eliasch as FIS president in June, and the body has since committed to a financial reset after heavy overspending. The hoped-for stability has yet to materialise. On the snow, the season starts with the women's giant slalom on the Rettenbach glacier on October 24, followed by the men on October 25. By then FIS needs to settle who runs the men's World Cup, and whether Trinkl will still be on board when the speed season begins.