After American moguls skier Landon Gardener was hurt in a training run at the free-
style World Cup season premier in Suomu, Finland, in early December, his 21-year-old
teammate Bryon Wilson got the nod.
The Montana native had arrived in Finland not to compete, but to get some training as
a member of the B Team and an alternate for the competition.
“I went over for the Europa Cup [where he finished second] and had no expectations
to ski the World Cup,” said Wilson. “Everything fell into place and I don’t know how to
explain how it happened. It just did. No one expects it, but it’s an amazing thing.”
Wilson capitalized on the unexpected opportunity, pulling in the first and second World
Cup podiums of his career with a pair of second-place finishes.
Wilson Moves to Freestyle A Team
Fischer takes over U.S. operation
Austrian ski maker Fischer Sports has announced that it is restruc-
turing its U.S. distribution and marketing by concluding its relationship
with David Auer’s company, Fischer Sports USA, LLC. Auer’s company
had held the exclusive distribution rights for Fischer products in the coun-
try since 1999.
Fischer Skis US, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Fischer Sports
GmbH/Austria took overall sales, marketing and distribution activities in
the United States on Dec. 1, 2009.
“There will be no significant change in the daily business operating prac-
tices; therefore, the changes in the organizational structure should have
no impact on Fischer’s customers,” read a company press release.
“We’ve found a good arrangement with Mr. Auer, which allows Fischer
to continue with a management team that is well-known in the industry,
as well as operating in the same location in Auburn, NH,” said Franz
Fottinger, CEO of Fischer Sports GmbH. “This will guarantee a smooth
transition of the business and gives us a firm foundation to meet our
challenging goals in the U.S.”
“I have always believed in Fischer as one of the premier ski brands
in the world,” said Auer. “With a strong organization in place in Auburn,
N.H., I am confident they will continue to represent Fischer well. I have
been proud over the last 11 years to have headed up Fischer in the
U.S.”
Peter Ashley will continue with the title of Vice President of the Nordic
Division. Erik Anderson will now assume the title of Vice President of
Alpine Division. David Kuhman, Vice President of Finance and Operations,
will continue in the role of managing the day-to-day operations of Fischer
Skis US.
“I went in and wasn’t expecting to podium at all. I just wanted to lay one down with the
double full,” Wilson said. “When I got to bottom they announced ‘Second place, Bryon
Wilson’ and I was like ‘What?’ There were eight to go, but as I was watching everyone
come down I just stayed in second place. I was thinking ‘Am I going to get a podium in
the first World Cup of the season?’”
Yes, and the results were enough to get Wilson, 2009’s U.S. national champion, pro-
moted to the U.S Ski Team’s A level. “Now I’m on the A team just like that, without
expecting it at all,” Wilson said. “I was supposed to be training and two days later I’m on
the A team; it’s amazing. I’m just excited about the start to the season.”
As part of the A group, Wilson will now have his travel expenses covered by the team.
“And you get lunch money,” said Wilson with a laugh. “You don’t have to worry about re-
qualifying or any of that, so being on the A Team is the best you can do.”
The only World Cup starts Wilson expected to see this year were a pair of North Ameri-
can events in Lake Placid and Deer Valley. “I was banking on those two events,” said
Wilson. “I was planning on just skiing those and doing as well as I could. It’s such a relief
to be up there and not have to worry about getting top 10s or anything like that the rest
of the season and the next season.”
