Interski. ‘Federation of Ski Instruction’ 50 Years old.

by Sepp Redl.

1951 Zürs

1953 Davos

1955 Val d'Isere

1957 Storlien

1959 Zakopane

1962 Monte Bondone

1965 Bad Gastein

1968 Aspen

1971 Garmisch-Partenkirchen

1975 Strbské-Pleso

1979 Zao

1983 Sexten

1987 Banff

1991 St. Anton/Arlberg

1996 Nozawa Onsen

1999 Beitostølen

2003 Crans Montana

Karl Gamma describes it as a worldwide contact, a control facility, a place for considerations and new ideas within itself and a stage for demonstrators. How has that all come about? 1928. Everybody skied in ‘stemmed’ turns and ‘wide’. In that year the competition in downhill and slalom started with the first Arlberg-Kandahar-race. The winner was the one who won the combination. Approximately at the same time Rudolf Lettner put metal bands on his skis to be able to master icy snow conditions. In only a few years the metal edge changed the skiing technique - it lead to a narrow position of the skis, to a narrow track. trained the slalom technique in a most particular way and showed admirable stamina. Seelos used ‘parallel’ turns and in slalom he could not be beaten for 10 years.

Seelos became the shining example for all competitors and – what was even more important – for all skiers, for all good skiers. A new model was born. ‘Only those who ski with parallel turns and with a narrow track ski “beautifully”.’ 1937. For the first time a Frenchman (trained by Seelos) won the World Championship. In Emile Allais outclassed his opponents in the downhill and the slalom competition. In the same year he also won the Kandahar race and again the World Championship in the following year. 1947. The French won and they knew how to utilize their victories. And regardless of the consequences there was only one way for ski instruction: to the parallel turns without stemming. In a at that time completely new, centralised state training Stefan Kruckenhauser considered in St. Christoph am Arlberg to follow this successful tradition or to get away from a rotation step by step. Kruckenhauser: ‘One way to solve all the open questions and to get to know different techniques applied by others was an invitation. The first Congress for Ski Instruction was born. 1951 Zürs Austria - April, 9th-16th (110 participants, 8 nations) But it was not that easy. International relations still suffered from the aftermaths of World War II, the thought was still too revolutionary for a large number of people. Only in 1951 everything started. The Austrian Minister of Education personally opened the first Congress of Ski Instruction. Kruckenhauser (Congress of a New Beginning): ‘Austrians exclusively gave the demonstrations. The news was: The French rotary technique dominated. Slalom came to our rescue as young Austrians using a remarkable technique started winning. They skied with ‘anti rotation’, turned the skies with their legs. We created the terms ‘Beinspieltechnik’ and wedeln, we thought we were on the right track: The Austrians had their most famous sportsmen demonstrate: Toni Spieß, , Erika Maringer, Trude Beiser and of course Toni Seelos. Already at that time the change in the Austrian skiing technique emerged. Kruckenhauser’s film (Basic Level) also showed this tendency. In spite of all that the technique shown in the demonstrations was still based on a moderate rotary movement and that was according to the Austrian Skiing Curriculum back then. All nations present agreed that the idea of arranging Congresses for Ski Instruction had to be continued. On the final day Switzerland confirmed that they were prepared to organise the second Congress in Davos two years later.

1953 Davos Switzerland - April, 6th - 12th (180 participants, 10 nations) High participation: At the beginning only Switzerland as the host of the Congress demonstrated their national Skiing Curriculum. Kruckenhauser: In a small group the development of ‘Beinspieltechnik’ and with it also wedeln had almost been completed (not knowing how far we were ahead of time). In Davos Austria ‘officially’ refused to give a demonstration. After my rather open speech I showed my film: Further Training. Which ended with wedeln. Speech and film exploded like a bomb.

The Swiss ski experts, especially the man in charge of the Congress Christian Rubi from Wengen feared the influence of this new technique on the Swiss Skiing Curriculum. Rubi organised an improvised comparison, skiing in softened deep snow. In addition to all that the Austrians were of different opinions among themselves: On the one hand Seelos showed his exceptionally soft, gliding, slightly rotated speed turns, whereas the other two demonstrators Franz Furtner and Gsellmann tried to show the brand new ‘wedel technique’ which they did not manage properly due to the difficult conditions given. Kruckenhauser: ‘The defeat was as total as it was undeserved. The Austrian press fought against us in ‘instalments’ – at home we were considered as completely defeated.’ Although this was very sad and bitter, we still believed thoroughly in the success of ‘Beinspieltechnik’, in the victory of wedeln. ‘Give me two years and a team of 9 men to be able to justify my opinion at the third Congress.’ – was my only, but strict answer to all sometimes even nasty attacks.’ Also to be found at the Congress: the lecture of a certain Hannes Marker, skiing instructor in Garmisch Partenkirchen on the topic: safety bindings. One agreement of this Congress gained importance for the future: the foundation of an international Study Commission for Ski Instruction chaired by the French Dr. Pierre Guillot who was looking for a compromise.

1955 Val d’Isere France - March, 27th to April, 1st (500 participants, 13 nations) ‘The deed is everything. Speaking quite often does not lead to anything!’. There were less lectures and films, demonstrations ruled the Congress. Not the complete teaching method, but only particularly important or also controversial parts should be demonstrated. Only the Austrians and the delegates from northern countries fulfilled this request. Kruckenhauser calls it ‘Congress of Demonstrations – Congress of Victory’. He remembers, ’Austria lead off. We have copied wedeln from the striking new slalom technique of a couple of Austrian racers: Spieß, Pravda, Molterer, O. Schneider, Hinterseer and T. Sailer. Only Furtner and I ‘knew’ what it was all about. 9 selected young skiing instructors suspected something. They had to show the sophisticated form of the stem turn and how to teach wedeln. Everything went perfectly! I will never forget the applause as well as the ‘shock’ of the other nations as wedeln had never been shown in such perfection. The headline of a French journalist was: ’A short turn takes the world by storm.’ The whole world wedels – total success of ‘Beinspieltechnik’. After this overwhelming success of the Austrian demonstration Kruckenhauser had nobody against him on the one hand, but he had also not been able to gain somebody’s support. Most of the experts admired the new Austrian technique, but saw its chance only with racers. But: Many participants of the Congress tried wedeln openly or secretly. The Austrian Karl Koller showed short skis as teaching support, something that was ignored by the public for the second time. The difference to the rotation technique remained, questions concerning the future remained unanswered. The show had gained an important position within the Congress by a mega demonstration of the French on a demonstration slope that started at 3000m and ended at 2000m. Dr. Pierre Guillot, the man in charge of the Congress suggested the foundation of an ‘International Federation for Ski Instruction’ and became its first president, Christian Rubi and Stefan Kruckenhauser his secretaries.

A big advantage for the further development of the Congress, however, was the fact that Sweden accepted the organisation of the next

1957 Storlien Sweden - January, 6th - 13th (14 nations) The fourth International Congress for Ski Instruction was held in Storlien (Jämtland, Sweden), close to the Norwegian border, not far away from Are. It was organised by ‘’Frilufts främjandet’ chaired by Gösta Frohm. There were no hotels, not a lot of lifts – a Nordic skiing resort! These circumstances and the Swedish hospitality are the reasons why this Congress is remembered as the Congress of Comradeship. To make things clear, Kruckenhauser designed the ‘Comparison of Nations’. The Northerners were interested in ‘Beinspieltechnik’ to intergrade it into cross-country skiing. France and Switzerland were still rotating, Austria offered advanced ‘Beinspiel’. Very broad statutes were formulated for the ‘International Federation of Ski Instruction’. Also the professional skiing instructors tightened their cooperation and remained in the international federation. What nobody had expected: Poland was assigned with the organisation of the next Congress

1959 Zakopane Poland - April, 6th - 13th (122 participants, 16 nations)

The first Congress in eastern Europe helped to bring east and west closer together. Again a late date was decided on. Zakopane had snow problems. The programme had to be changed again and again. Kruckenhauser: ‘Four demonstrators accompanied us, all the other nations had only one or none at all – their mistake. Bad weather forced into the lecture hall. It became the Congress of Lectures.’ For the ‘east’ all the questions about skiing techniques and methodology were of interest: Whereas in Zürs the rotation technique was demonstrated, only France still stuck to this way of skiing. Kruckenhauser’s presentation, which was supported and relieved by excellent slides received high appreciation and his ‘Wedelfilm’ (Master Class in Skiing) created a lot of enthusiasm among the audience and was awarded with a silver medal in Cortina later on. The International Federation was unanimously declared to be the umbrella organisation for three study groups worldwide: 1. Professional Ski Instructors (professional), 2. Ski Instructors (Instructors), 3. Skiing in Schools Stefan Kruckenhauser was elected president. The Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) and Italy applied for the 6th Congress. Kruckenhauser: ‘Italy won the election with a very narrow margin, I managed to reach agreement for an interval of three years between the congresses, because the Alpine countries still needed some time to further develop their ideas.’

1962 Monte Bondone Italy - April, 7th - 14th (460 participants, 20 nations)

For the first time an important city - the city of Trient with its newly developed skiing resort – supported the Congress. Kruckenhauser: ’After 7 quiet years there was a Congress in the Alps again, in the field of tension and we were all afraid of the confrontations. There were no revolutions. I showed parallel turns without any lifting of the ski in strong contrast to the jump turns. These ‘Murmel turns’ (as we called them among ourselves) were decisive for the development in Austria (we had stuck to jumping for too long). As a consequence only those were ‘Expert wedlers’ who managed to keep their skis on the snow. The Competition of the Nations took already place on the second day. For the first time 6 nations with 5 skiers each took part: Italy, Austria, France, Switzerland, the USA, the Federal Republic of Germany. Eventually the Competition of the Nations had found its desired form. Frank Ritschel remembers: Monte Bodone was probably the Congress with the least output on the subject – in technical as well as in methodological and theoretical respect. In my opinion for the most part the tug-of-war, which lasted for half of the Congress within the professional skiing instructors and which wore most of the delegates down was to blame.’ At the end the International Ski Instructors Association was founded. During the Congress the Working Group ‘Ski Instructors’ was constituted – not without fights behind the scene. Kruckenhauser was re-elected for the Praesidium of the Research Group. Franz Hoppichler accepted the position of the Secretary General. For the research group the name of ‘International Federation for Ski Instruction’ was agreed on. Since Monte Bodone the short form ‘Interski’ has been generally accepted and has been used ever since. USA and Austria applied for the next Congress; Austria won the vote by a huge majority and was appointed with the 7th Congress.

1965 Bad Gastein Austria - January, 8th - 14th (500 participants, 22 nations) Equipment for simultaneous interpretation facilitated oral communication. As in Zürs the Minister of Education opened the Congress. The Congress should primarily deal with methodological problems of skiing, in spite of the Competition of Nations was not carried out, more focus was given to the Nordic disciplines. Japan, present for the first time, demonstrated exactly the Austrian Ski School. The Americans also stuck to the Austrian way of skiing, Italy showed turns with slight rotary support. The French, second strongest skiing nation at that time, still stuck to the rotation technique with their natural way of skiing with wide stance. They also included elements of the racing technique in their demonstration: Charles Bozon demonstrated the jet turn that he had developed. Kruckenhauser tried to bridge the discrepancy between stems and parallel turns by the so- called ‘wide stance swing’ and that created a huge upheaval among the professional skiing instructors. They thought that that would be the end of ‘Schönschilauf’ with closed stance. Finally the term ‘wedel build-up turn’ was agreed on Switzerland did not like the show-characteristics that the Interski Congress in the meantime had turned into. Kruckenhauser was elected president of the ‘International Federation for Ski Instruction’ for the third time. A logical consequence of the Congress in Mote Bodone was the foundation of a third Study Group ‘Skiing in Schools’. But the Congress left Europe – Aspen , in the west of the USA won the competition Canada versus USA.

1968 Aspen USA - April, 19th - 28th (500 participants, 18 nations) Economy in Europe flourished and skiing prospered worldwide. America still was, and yet even more, the land of unlimited skiing possibilities. Countless European ski-instructors made their professional dreams come true in the U.S. and they depended on the prestigious support from their countries of origin. The Comparison of Nations was again included in the programme. Hoppichler’s youth-demonstration with 6 boys and 3 girls aged 9 to 14 supported our efforts to present a freer instructing just as the fascinating demonstration by Karl Koller did, who showed how to instruct youths in a “Geländegarten”. Kruckenhauser: “In the continuous struggle to tackle present problems of skiing-technique and skiing-methodology, and in order to discuss solutions, I demonstrated the reformed “Basic Level” in Aspen. No spectacular issue and, therefore, risk because nearly every nation tried to impress by spectacular chapters of advanced skiing, in short with the “show”. Karl Gamma: The Germans offered the Congress a highly welcomed gift by showing “step turns” and by calling them by their rightful name for the first time in the history of skiing. Also other nations, amongst them Switzerland, showed race-related turns with a significant shift of weight. The step-technique having been applied by racers for quite some time has now found its acceptance in the minds of ski-theorists.” In organising this first ‘Overseas Congress’ Kruckenhauser reached the limits of his achievements and this made him resign in Aspen. A life-time honorary presidency made this decision easier for him.” The General Assembly elected Jean Franco from Chamonix to its president and Germany to be the organiser of the 9th Interski.

1971 Garmisch-Partenkirchen Germany - February, 16th - 23th (1200 participants, 23 nations) Garmisch brought upon the most participants, the richest programme, the strictest organisation but also the toughest competition. Cross-country skiing and ski-jump lessons were demonstrated and discussed, school lessons and race-practice were being dealt with, the method of instruction with an increasing length of skis developed by Cliff Taylor in the U.S.A. was dealt with in a separate forum. Kruckenhauser: We showed our topic of demonstration “’Beuge -drehen-Streckdrehen’, from the beginner to the expert” and were grossly exaggerating and were misunderstood – anxiety was back again. Karl Gamma: Kruckenhauser had changed his opinion completely. The “wave technique” was born. A practical technique for everybody. We doubted.“ Middle of January and practically no snow in Garmisch – but OK-president Kurt Kreiselmeyer and his men from the German army with shovels and truckloads of snow, nevertheless, turned Adamswiese into a perfect demonstration slope. The Italians demonstrated merging movements. Hubert Fink later called this „anticipation of the movements“ „anticipation“. The future leading figures of the INTESKI became synonyms for their countries. From 1971 onwards it was less talked about nations but more about people. Roberto Blanco entertained even then. The congress interval was expanded to a period of four years.

1975 Strbské-Pleso CSSR - January, 19th - 26th (650 participants, 21 nations) In December 1971 Interski President Jean Franco lost his life in a tragic car accident. Dr. Adolf Odermatt as first Vice President took over the chair of the ‘International Federation of Ski Instruction’. Since 1972/73 Austria once again was the best team in the World Cup and since 1970/71 Gustav Thöni was the leading skier. What was to be expected, the 10th Interski Congress in The Tatra mountains brought little innovation and, as always, all demonstration teams showed ‘Schönschilauf’. A lot had become clear, the OK-technique was equal to the step turns in the demonstrations. Karl Gamma: ‘Austria, headed now by Franz Hoppichler, revealed with the topic “Basic Position – The Basis of Turning” that there was something more important than “Wellentechnik”. Poland contributed a pleasant Congress novelty with the eight female demonstrators. Switzerland had chosen the topic ‘Ski Instruction and Safety’, Interterm was started. A blessing for precision and communication across (language) barriers. Highlights of the Congress in the High Tatra mountains was a joint show under the direction of Erhard Gattermann in front of 30.000(!) spectators. Toni Seelos as well as the father of "wedeln" Kruckenhauser skied their part. ‘Interski are the for skiing instructors’. The necessity to show every four years what has been achieved and wanted in one’s home country obviously pays off for all the trouble and effort; it secures the development and the future of the Congress

1979 Zao Japan - January, 28th - Febraury, 4th (640 participants, 23 nations) Interski in Japan was a rewarding experience for everyone and in every respect. Never before such extensive investment in an Interski-Congress had been made as in Zao. A new congress hall, three new ski jumps and a presentation slope created through massive earth movement awaited the Congress participants. The contributions of all the nations to the Congress revealed that there was no doctrinaire teaching system and no eccentric interpretation of the skiing technique anymore. Karl Gamma: The topic of the USA was: ’Turning – Edging – Pressure Distribution’. Horst Abraham asked, ’Don’t you think, my honoured colleagues, that it is time to modernize skiing instruction?’ What he meant was the re-thinking of strategies - from teaching by behaviour to learning by experience.’ Hoppichler’s topic of demonstration was ‘Swinging’. The simplification of the teaching method. The big surprise: France demonstrated perfect ‘Beinspieltechnik’! The skiing technique, therefore, showed no big differences, did not separate the nations anymore – although there were differences in the methodology. Karl Gamma: ‘Canada, Spain, Great Britain, New Zealand as well as the United States and Japan have so far participated rather as recipients of innovations from all the other countries. But now these countries showed in their demonstrations that the missionaries from Alpine countries have done their job. The world of ski instruction was now thoroughly emancipated and many good suggestions especially of didactical and methodological kind from all skiing countries were influential for the Congress pool. The nice thing about it was that there seemed to be no ski technical taboos anymore. Odermatt lead the Federation. Once again to Italy.

1983 Sexten Italy - January, 15th - 22th (1200 participants, 24 nations) 1200 guests from altogether 24 nations was a new record. After Zao the Federation dealt with the possible re-organisation of the Interski-Congress and with corresponding new goals in long and thorough talks. An increased number of methodological contributions for Sexten were agreed on. Karl Gamma: The agreement had been forgotten by most of the nations. Only Italy showed refreshing teaching methods for children – based on her special possibilities and we Swiss tried to perform a mixture of methodology and technique. But otherwise the common parade of figures by the best ski instructors of the world was offered. We all nearly skied in the same way, but we dressed our movements up with different explanations, because we set national priorities and represented national opinions.’ Figure skiing. Gustav Thöni was in the centre of attention. The Alpine demonstrations brought the old telemark back to the Alps as a novelty – but with the detour via America.- somewhat modernised but skilfully performed in special equipment. Yugoslavia presented the early orientation of the ski novices for racing. The whole event was a ‘Congress with an Atmosphere’. The closeness of the village in the Dolomites and the friendly encounter made one think of Storlien. Canada and Finland applied for the next Congress: the Congress moved overseas again: to Banff in Canada

1987 Banff Canada - January, 17th - 24th (1400 participants, 18 nations) Asked about financial doubts Norman Crerar, the OK President of the 13th Congress had answered as the Congress was approaching,’ Ask God for money – He will give you some.’ In the end very earthly sponsors could be found, beer brewers to be precise, who made the event possible and – for the first and so far for the last time – coined the name: Labatts Interski. And there was a huge hotel that accommodated everybody. A completely new relation. The 18 national Alpine demonstrations dealt by a majority with the presentation of the national teaching methods embellished by choreography. The Austrians were the better choreographs. They skied more stylishly and more homogeneously than the Swiss, but on the other hand the Swiss skied more naturally and technically more efficiently. The exception was the demonstration from Sweden that impressed by innovative didactical intentions and their technical impulses. The simultaneous translation was carried out by the local radio station and was, therefore, also possible in the open air. The very spacious conference centre and the demonstration slope could only be reached by car. This lead to the situation that a lot of lectures and also some demonstrations were scarcely attended, even more so, as quite a lot of Congress participants could be found either ‘helicopter skiing’ or simply ‘sightseeing’ every day. A change at the head of the ‘International Federation of Ski Instruction’: Dr. Adolf Odermatt resigned as the president and Franz Hoppichler became the new Interski President. Dr. Odermatt’s achievements were honoured with an Honorary Presidency. Karl Gamma on the choice of the next Congress location: The Swedes as well as the people from St. Anton had already made agreements in advance and had brought their ambitions to the attention of the others by the latest means (restaurants, advertising gimmicks)’. Therefore: St. Anton.

1991 St. Anton/Arlberg Austria - January, 11th - 19th (2300 participants, 19 nations) 40 years after the first International Ski Instructor Congress back again on the Arlberg. A family gathering has turned into a world Congress. As opening an evening show of superlatives. - Like in Canada the simultaneous translation on the radio – a small sensation for European standards. For the first time there was a daily news bulletin with current contributions. Lectures were structured. Snowboarding became an eye catcher in the demonstrations of a lot of counties. All ski equally. The ‘small’ countries have brilliant demonstration teams. France is not present. The reason: essential differences in the economic issues of skiing instruction within the European area, therefore no ski specific matters. On the topic protection of the nature a separate symposium was held. A statement of the World Federation on the responsibility of the skier for the environment was released to the press. The German expert Ekkehart Ulmrich back then: No matter how technically perfect the teaching systems - they are of little use if they cannot be sold on the market. Commercial aspects will decide the course of the next Congress. The gap between spectacular demonstration behaviour at Congresses and serious thoughts about how to fill the cash boxes of the ski schools will become even wider.’ After a short discussion: up and away to Japan.

1995 Nozawa Onsen Japan, January, 21th - 28th (2000 participants, 35 nations) Back in the Asian region. For the second time Interski in Japan. The health resort Nozawa Onsen in the northwest of the main island. And again the host country undertook an enormous effort to organise the Congress. An escalator replaced the somewhat rickety chair lift from the village to the demonstration slope. Ski school centre and restaurants were built in the style of an arena. A congress hall was erected. For weeks the whole village was brought into the right mood for the event. Before the event hundreds of inhabitants were taken to their partner town St. Anton to get to know Europeans for the first time. The ski industry was won as sponsors and for the first time a product fair with the intention of selling things was organised right next to the ski arena. The Japanese wanted to wear the skiing outfit of the nations. Still. Hoppichler wanted to change the demonstrations. He talked about the interaction between workshop and show. The workshops were hesitantly accepted and there were a lot of participants from Japan. The show wanted by the president was often misunderstood: ‘Show’ as defined by Hoppichler should be perfect formation skiing. Show as many nations saw it was hockey on skies or stilt skiing. The opinions differed. Lectures were held on different topics and were attended less and less. The Assosiation for Skiing in Schools tried to show a connection between Physical Education and skiing indoors. Only a few got lost and attended these workshops. Snowboarding only played a role in the demonstrations. Franz Hoppichler already suffering from cardiac decease had to resign and the Canadian Norman Crerar won – probably unexpectedly and with the Scandinavian votes – against Hubert Fink from Italy. So it came as no surprise that Norway won the election against Australia, France and Switzerland to host the next Congress.

1999 Beitostølen Norway - April, 10th - 17th (1100 participants, 32 nations) Again Scandinavia. A big success were the workshops. Through the lack of attractive alpine slopes the family stayed together and exchanged their experiences about teaching. A famous place for Nordic skiing and its rehabilitation centre. But no way a calm Congress like the one in Storlien once. Through financial problems and the president’s hesitating attitude the World Federation got into serious trouble, but eventually the event took place. Two things had been planned. For the first time a motto: Snow sport in change. But Interski had not managed to communicate its ideas to all the participating countries, Austria lead by Paul Romagna, who had succeeded Franz Hoppichler in the training of the ski instructors proved his courage also in the demonstrations to exclusively concentrate on carving - the new form of turning dictated by the new and shorter skies. Controversial. Austria also showed the latest, controversial – but in the course of the week rather frequented device. Will that be the new snow sport? And the nations should integrate handicapped into the demonstrations of snow sport, actually into the Congress really. The Swedish ski school put everything on communication and animation, an improvement of the quality when dealing with learners so to say and set a sign. President Crerar was voted out of the office. A man of the first hour was agreed on, Karl Kreiselmeyer from Germany, who had to start a consolidation. Next time in Switzerland. After the withdrawal of Australia this village had won by default. Internet shall play a part then and network communication within the village shall guide the participants. And the workshops shall be further developed to make talks in smaller groups about teaching methods possible. Is it back to the roots again? But this is another story. Maybe in two years