International Snowboarding Federation
Encyclopedia
The International Snowboarding Federation was a body organised to run snowboarding
competition.
Following the collapse of the National Association of Professional Snowboarders in 1990, five nations and 120 racers established the International Snowboarding Federation (ISF) with the goal of keeping the officiating by riders and for riders. It sought to bring the world's best competitors together to test their skills in an environment which embraced competitiveness, but stressed the idea of having fun. The ISF eventually attracted riders of varying ages and abilities, which allowed one-time rising stars such as Terje Haakonsen, Daniel Franck
and Danny Kass
to sharpen their skills at an early age on their way to joining the professional ranks. The ISF set the standard for snowboarding competition, which contributed to the development of it as an Olympic sport in the 1998 Winter Olympics
.
In a controversial move, the International Olympic Committee
recognized the Federation International Ski
(FIS) as the sport's official governing body. Three-time world champion Terje Haakonsen boycotted the Olympics as a result of the FIS being appointed to oversee the officiating. Other riders followed in Haakonsen's footsteps and concluded FIS rules to be inappropriate for snowboarding. The FIS has maintained its control over the Olympics, giving credence to the position that snowboarding is a discipline of skiing
and not its own, individual sport.
Although the ISF continued to represent snowboarding on an international level, it began to lose influence, sponsors and finances to the FIS, and ceased operations on June 22 2002.
Snowboarding
Snowboarding is a sport that involves descending a slope that is covered with snow on a snowboard attached to a rider's feet using a special boot set onto mounted binding. The development of snowboarding was inspired by skateboarding, sledding, surfing and skiing. It was developed in the U.S.A...
competition.
Following the collapse of the National Association of Professional Snowboarders in 1990, five nations and 120 racers established the International Snowboarding Federation (ISF) with the goal of keeping the officiating by riders and for riders. It sought to bring the world's best competitors together to test their skills in an environment which embraced competitiveness, but stressed the idea of having fun. The ISF eventually attracted riders of varying ages and abilities, which allowed one-time rising stars such as Terje Haakonsen, Daniel Franck
Daniel Franck
Daniel Franck is a Norwegian professional snowboarder. He started riding in 1991, professionally since 1993. After winning the National and Nordic championships he aimed higher and started riding world cup competitions in 1993. Daniel won his first international championship Gold at the European...
and Danny Kass
Danny Kass
Daniel "Danny" Kass is an American professional snowboarder.He was born in Vernon Valley, NJ.Danny grew up in New Jersey where he began his climb into snowboarding history at the age of twelve...
to sharpen their skills at an early age on their way to joining the professional ranks. The ISF set the standard for snowboarding competition, which contributed to the development of it as an Olympic sport in the 1998 Winter Olympics
1998 Winter Olympics
The 1998 Winter Olympics, officially the XVIII Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event celebrated from 7 to 22 February 1998 in Nagano, Japan. Seventy-two nations and 2,176 participans contested in seven sports and 72 events at 15 venues. The games saw the introduction of Women's ice...
.
In a controversial move, the International Olympic Committee
International Olympic Committee
The International Olympic Committee is an international corporation based in Lausanne, Switzerland, created by Pierre de Coubertin on 23 June 1894 with Demetrios Vikelas as its first president...
recognized the Federation International Ski
International Ski Federation
The International Ski Federation, known by its name in French, Fédération Internationale de Ski is the main international organisation for ski sports...
(FIS) as the sport's official governing body. Three-time world champion Terje Haakonsen boycotted the Olympics as a result of the FIS being appointed to oversee the officiating. Other riders followed in Haakonsen's footsteps and concluded FIS rules to be inappropriate for snowboarding. The FIS has maintained its control over the Olympics, giving credence to the position that snowboarding is a discipline of skiing
Skiing
Skiing is a recreational activity using skis as equipment for traveling over snow. Skis are used in conjunction with boots that connect to the ski with use of a binding....
and not its own, individual sport.
Although the ISF continued to represent snowboarding on an international level, it began to lose influence, sponsors and finances to the FIS, and ceased operations on June 22 2002.