The 2019 Snow Economic Forum took place in Martigny (SUI) last weekend with the theme of “The place, recognition and influence of women in snow sports”. Many visitors from world of winter sports came to hear insights and reports, as well as a 1.5-hour panel discussion featuring a group of inspiring women from the sport and industry.

After Karin Perraudin, the President of Valais Wallis Promotion opened the forum with some general remarks on the history and development of women in winter sports, Virginie Faivre, Freeski World Champion and President of the Lausanne 2020 Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee gave an overview over the upcoming Youth Olympic Winter Games.

The following panel discussion featured Faivre, Swiss Federal Councillor responsible for Sport, Viola Amherd, FIS Secretary General Sarah Lewis, Patrizia Kummer, Sochi 2014 Olympic Snowboard Champion and Amélie Wenger-Reymond, World Champion in Telemark skiing. Maude Richon, sports journalist at the Swiss broadcaster RTS hosted the discussion. 

Topics discussed ranged from chances and challenges for women on their way to become professional athletes, developments, sponsoring, revenues and prize money and media exposure for women’s sports.

Source: fis-ski.com