Canada's David Leuty Elected IBSF Vice President of Corporate and Financial Affairs

Leuty to serve 4 year term, and will also be part of the IBSF Executive Management Committee

The IBSF Congress was held on 11 June in Salzburg, Austria, and saw the election of a new IBSF Executive Committee for the next four years (2026-2030). In the morning Heike Groesswang was elected the sixth and first female president of IBSF, serving a four-year term (2026-2030). Groesswang was elected with a clear majority in the first round of voting, earning 27 votes out of a possible 45.

“I am deeply honored by your support and the trust you have placed in me,” underlined Groesswang addressing the IBSF Member delegates representing the global bobsleigh and skeleton community. “I look forward to serving our community, preserving our unity and working together to reach new heights for our incredible sports of bobsleigh and skeleton across the world."

Read here more details on the President’s election.

Election of IBSF Vice Presidents

In the afternoon, the IBSF member federations elected six IBSF Vice Presidents who will serve alongside IBSF President Heike Groesswang  for the next four years (2026-2030):

David Leuty (CAN) - IBSF Vice President of Corporate and Financial Affairs

Tuffield Latour (USA) - IBSF Vice President of Sport

Heath Spence (AUS) - IBSF Vice President of International Affairs

David Tomatis (MON) - IBSF Vice President of Marketing and Events

Chanmin Chyun (KOR)- IBSF Vice President of Communication

Sarah Krebs (MLT) - IBSF Vice President of Legal Affairs

Election of IBSF Appeals Tribunal Members

In another vote, the IBSF Congress also elected Stephen Hess (USA) and Stephen Rowland-Jones (GBR) as members of the IBSF Appeals Tribunal for the period 2026-2030.

Honorary Distinctions

Ivo Ferriani, IBSF President from 2010 to 2026 was appointed IBSF Honorary Member and Honorary President. Ferriani has been an athlete, a coach, a team manager as well as the Sports Manager at the Torino 2006 Olympic Winter Games before he became the federation’s president in 2010. He has also served as an IOC Member, an IOC Executive Board Member and President of the Winter Olympic Federations, giving the IBSF a voice within the Olympic Movement.

Andreas Trautvetter, outgoing Vice-President of Corporate and Financial Affairs and previously Auditor for the federation, was appointed IBSF Honorary Member for his more than 20 years of precious services.

The IBSF also honored Jos Mattli for his over 40 years engagement for the IBSF – first as a volunteer, then as a Jury Member since 1990 and, since 2012, having served the federation as the World Cup and World Championships Coordinator.

Likewise, Petra Lossner  was honored for her excellence in leading the translation of IBSF matters for the past 50 years.

About IBSF Elections

The IBSF Executive Committee is elected at the IBSF Congress - the highest authority of IBSF - by IBSF Member delegates every four years, with the exception of the Chairpersons of the Athletes Committee which are elected by the athletes directly. More information on roles, responsibilities and the election process can be found here.