Bulgarian Ski Federation (BFSKI) is one of the oldest sport organisations in Bulgaria. Established in 1924 in the capital, Sofia, the federation supports skiing and snowboard at national and international levels. It has been the only Bulgarian organization member of FIS (Fédération International de Ski) since 1932. Since its establishment, the federation has grown to run 56 individual local clubs, with a total of 990 athletes. Tzeko Minev has been the President of the Federation since 2003.
Since the 2007/08 season the Bulgarian Ski Federation has already hosted 8 Alpine Skiing World Cups in country’s main resort, Bansko. Furthermore, it has held 2 Snowboard World Cups and countless European Cups. Over the years, the athletes of the Federation have left their mark in the history of skiing. Their main achievements in alpine skiing are: World Cup Win 1979; World Junior Champion Wins 1977, 1978, 1988.
Developing from these results, the Bulgarian Ski Federation has brought new generation of young and sensational alpine skiers. Specifically, we have Albert Popov and Zlatkov Kamen. They proved themselves in the children's category by dominating 1st and 2nd position at the Topolino Cup (unofficial World Championship for children). In 2018, Albert Popov claimed a bronze medal in giant slalom in Junior World Championship in Davos, Switzerland. His World Cup breakthrough came in the opening race of the 2018/2019 season in Levi, where he finished 20th, earning 11 points - Bulgaria's first World Cup points since 1986. Popov followed that up with a 16th place finish in Madonna di Campiglio and in January 2019 he finished 9th in the slalom event at Kitzbühel, which was the best result for a Bulgarian skier since 1985. Three days later he reached another milestone, finishing 6th at Schladming. In the season 2021/2022 Popov was 9th in slalom at the Olympic Games at Beijing-2022 and verged his first World Cup podium, finishing 4th in slalom at Courchevel/Meribel.
We are therefore excited to see what the Bulgarian Ski Federation is capable of achieving this season. In addition, the women's ski team has recruited the former Italian world-cup skier, Luisa Bertani. Luisa is 54th in the giant slalom ranking and she is ready to improve her position in the upcoming 2022/2023 season.
VIST proudly continues to cooperate with the Bulgarian Ski Federation and will be following the Bulgarian alpine skiers competing in World Cup circuit.
