FIS Medical Committee Bids Farewell to Longtime Leaders
May 22, 2024·Inside FIS
The FIS Technical Committee Spring Meetings in Portoroz in early May were the last for Dr. Hubert Hörterer as Chairman of the FIS Medical Committee. After 18 years in this position, the German orthopedic surgeon decided to end his tenure, as did Vice-Chair Dr. Jenny Shute, who had also been engaged in this committee for many years – 20 years as a member and 6 years as Vice-Chair. The contribution of these two experts to the creation and revision of various FIS Snow Safe policies, medical guides, and other procedures has been of great value. “All of these things have only been possible with the support and help of many colleagues and friends both within and outside FIS, in many NSAs, as well as FIS staff,” wrote Dr. Jenny Shute in a LinkedIn post announcing her departure.
After a final group photo of the FIS Medical Committee in Portoroz, Dr. Hubert Hörterer granted us a brief interview, reflecting on the beginnings of his passion for snow sports and his significant contributions during his tenure with the FIS.
What is your connection with snow sports?
I was already skiing at the age of three. During my sports studies I took the exam to become a state-certified ski instructor. Skiing has always been an important part of my life.
How did you come to get involved in the FIS Medical Committee?
The German Ski Association nominated me as their alpine team doctor for the Medical Committee. In 1985, I attended a meeting of the FIS Medical Committee for the first time at the FIS Congress in Vancouver. In 2006, the FIS President Gian Franco Kasper asked me to take over the chairmanship of the medical committee.
Looking back at your term as chairman of the FIS Medical Committee, what assessment can you make? Do you have any particular success or satisfaction to highlight?
It has always been a pleasure and an honor for me to work with the medical and other committees, the FIS employees in the offices and on the various slopes and competition venues. The safety and health of the athletes has always been a particular concern of mine. The introduction and further development of the FIS Injury Surveillance and Prevention Project (ISPP) to the Athletes Health Unit (AHU) was of great importance and satisfaction to me.