Although the 61-year-old (pictured top) will continue to work with the FIS supporting preparations for the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics and advising on safety enhancement projects, he will be succeeded by Markus Waldner, the FIS' alpine continental coordinator since 1998.

Hujara joined the sport's world governing body in 1991 from the German Ski Association, firstly as the Ladies World Cup race director before taking over as men's chief race director in 1994.

"It has been a privilege to play a leading role for FIS in the development of alpine skiing over the past two decades," Hujara said.

"After this Olympic season, I feel it is the right time to hand over the responsibility as men's chief race director and take on a new role with FIS in supporting the sport."


When his service ends, Hujara will have led more than 1,000 competitions at the highest level, including 988 World Cup races, seven Winter Olympic Games – as well as Sochi 2014 – and 11 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships.

"We would like to pay tribute to Günter for the highly significant contribution he has made to FIS and alpine skiing over many years and we are happy he will continue to serve the organisation for the coming years in his new role," FIS President Gian Franco Kasper said.

"Markus Waldner has our full backing as he steps up."

Waldner, who joined FIS in 1998 initially as European Cup coordinator before becoming Continental Cup coordinator in 2000, added: "I have a huge respect for the job undertaken by Günter for many years and am well aware of the challenges ahead having worked closely with him and Atle Skårdal [women's race director].

"The organisers and national ski associations deliver highly professional events and I am looking forward to the new cooperation with them."

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