Knowing the Swedish ski history, the ski federation celebrating 115 years since birth in total regression. Forgetting the reason for its sole existence.
The Swedish Ski federation was born out of a dispute with its mother* in 1908.
The Mother* Established in 1892 to promote skiing in its only known form at that time, cross-country. Its main purpose was not for ski racing, but to put the Swedish people on skis. As a tool for a healthy lifestyle.
It did not take long before the teenager in the family revolted to its parents, as the mother* was not interested in measuring skills. Competition among her offsprings was not an option.
The young and progressive members of the organization were of another opinion, loved racing. Measuring their skills to one another.
They wanted to break free, as every new generation wants. To find its own destiny.
Banning ski racing, was the sole reason
The mother banned and forbade ski racing within its organization in 1908. Forcing its offspring to form its own destiny, The Swedish ski federation.
Since then, there have been two associations in Sweden handling skiing. And its development on a national level.
A) The mother tree, AKA ski promotors/skidfrämjandet, later renamed Open air promotors/friluftssfrämjandet. Peeling oranges, drinking hot chocolate.
B) its offspring, Svenska skidförbundet/Swedish ski federation. Doing ski racing in all forms.
The conservative mother only interested in raising her kids on skis, and the progressive offspring want to test their limits in ski racing.
After the break-out, more than 100 years ago. This has been a silent agreement between the mother and her child.
The mother promoting skiing as a medicine for good health and social context.
The offspring, on the other hand, taking care of the measurement. Finding out who is the fastest, who is the best. Raised their children and grandchildren in that direction, for good and bad.
This agreement between mother and child has been working fine for a long time. But now it’s up for show.
The philosophies between the mother and the offspring were and should be fundamentally different. The Swedish ski federation, all in to competition and measurement. The mother only in to family health and time in the open air. Peeling oranges.
It comes without saying that the offspring quickly outgrow its mother in numbers and ambition. Founding the international ski federation in 1924.
The Swedish military was heavy involved. As moving fast on snow in war was a matter of life and death.
At the same time, the mother was peeling oranges, drinking hot chocolate. I think you get the picture.
As the Swedish ski federation scored success in the international ski scene, the mother organization couldn’t care less.
Her only interest was in its fundament.
Promotion of skiing outdoors within Sweden’s own borders. Without any measurement.
Historywise, the Swedish ski federation has had a great success with its racers in all disciplines.
Especially with the new ones, revolting to their family.
To speak clearly. Alpine is an offspring to cross-country, freestyle is an offspring to alpine, ski-cross is an offspring to alpine, telemark is, as well as ski jumping, an offspring to cross-country. Snowboard is also a member of the family, even if some would say different.
All disciplines are born out of cross-country and revolting to their mother. It does not mean that cross-country is all about peeling oranges.
They are also divided. Racers and peelers. The problem is that some peelers have found their way in to the wrong organization. Peelers should go back to their mother and leave the racers alone.
What has happened lately is that the offspring, the Swedish ski federation, has lost track of its sole existence.
Instead of raising athletes competing against the world. The federation has started competing with its own mother. Peeling oranges.
Starting to cannibalize on her existence and forgetting its own existence in the first place.
To be a progressive organization for the athletes of all disciplines in the ski clubs that wants to measure their skills to each other, and the world beyond.
Tomorrow is election day. The biggest question is if the Swedish ski federation shall continue to peel oranges, like its mother. Copying her. At the same time, killing the purpose of its own existence? Or if It’s going to find its way back to the progressive, competing organization it once was founded to be?
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