FIS and Kelly Brush Foundation Sign Strategic MoU to Advance Safety in Alpine Ski Racing and Elevate Para Snowsports Globally

May 19, 2026

Burlington, VT (May 19, 2026) /OUTDOOR SPORTSWIRE/ – The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) and the Kelly Brush Foundation (KBF) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), marking an important milestone in their shared commitment to advancing safety standards and practices in alpine ski racing at all levels of the sport as well as promoting inclusion, accessibility, and athlete support across global Para Snowsports.

The Kelly Brush Foundation is a nonprofit organization based in the United States that was started in 2006 after Kelly, an elite ski racer, sustained a spinal cord injury while racing for her college. In the months that followed, KBF was created to advance safety in alpine ski racing through advocacy, education, and financial support, while also helping adaptive athletes return to and thrive in sport.

Built on common values, including the utmost importance of safety in alpine ski racing and equal access to sport, the partnership establishes a strategic framework for collaboration across several key areas. These include:

1. The development of global safety standards in ski racing
2. Expanded access to adaptive equipment and athlete pathways
3. Increased visibility for Para athletes as well as highlighting the importance of safety as a priority in alpine ski racing through major events and collaborations
4. Aligned fundraising efforts to support sustainable program growth

By combining FIS’s international governance and event platform with KBF’s expertise in promoting safety in ski racing, the cooperation aims to build on the long-term success the KBF has had in the US in advancing ski racing safety and bring that to an international audience. Additionally, the partnership will leverage FIS’s global reach and KBF’s experience empowering adaptive sports to reduce barriers to participation for Para Snowsports athletes worldwide — particularly in emerging nations.

“Together with the Kelly Brush Foundation, we are not only expanding access to sport, but also building a safer, more inclusive environment where athletes of all abilities can thrive,” said Johan Eliasch, President of FIS. “By combining our expertise and global platforms, we have the opportunity to create lasting impact and accelerate the growth of Para Snowsports worldwide.”

“Partnering with FIS allows us to scale our impact globally,” said Kelly Brush, Founder of the Kelly Brush Foundation. “Together, we are elevating the importance of safety in ski racing and bringing the successes we’ve had in the US to an international audience. We are also creating meaningful opportunities for adaptive athletes, which I know personally can be life-changing. We’re excited to have FIS as a partner with shared values and priorities.”

Through joint initiatives, pilot programs, and coordinated stakeholder engagement, FIS and KBF will work to unlock new opportunities, strengthen global participation, and ensure that inclusion and safety remain at the forefront of the sport’s continued evolution.

This MoU lays the foundation for future cooperation agreements and reinforces both organizations’ long-term commitment to safety in alpine ski racing and empowering individuals through sport — on and off the snow.

– ENDS –

Press Contact:
Andrew Bernstein
Andrew.bernstein@kellybrushfoundation.org
610.618.6272

About the Kelly Brush Foundation
The Kelly Brush Foundation (KBF) is a dynamic and growing Burlington, Vermont-based non-profit whose mission is to inspire and empower people with spinal cord injuries to be active. KBF also works closely with the alpine ski racing community to improve safety at events. The Kelly Brush Foundation was founded in 2006 by Kelly Brush and her family after she sustained a spinal cord injury while racing in an NCAA alpine ski race. To date, the Kelly Brush Foundation has awarded more than 1,700 adaptive equipment grants to people in 50 states.