Swiss Ski, the national skiing federation, has elected its new president. Duri Bezzola, a Radical member of parliament, beat his nearest challenger Hans Hess by 1144 votes to 762.

The 58 year-old Bezzola replaces outgoing president Edi Engelberger, who came to the end of an eight-year term of office. He presented himself as a mover and shaker, ready to bring Swiss Ski into a new era.

The organisation is expected to undergo major changes later this year, with a new name and new structure, and private company status, in a drive to overtake neighbouring Austria in the world skiing rankings.

A practising architect, Bezzola is no armchair sportsman. He has taken part in the tough Engadin-Skimarathon event 20 times, notching up times of under 2 hours, and is a leading light of the Swiss parliamentary ski team.

Bezzola is joined by a new team at Swiss Ski, including Olimpio Pini, who defeated Martin Hodler, son of the former head of FIS, skiiing's international ruling body.

swissinfo with agencies

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