German Ski Association (DSV) counting on innovative ski technologies from Schaeffler

From September 2025, the Motion Technology Company Schaeffler will be official technology partner of the German Ski Association (DSV). The goal of the partnership is the joint development of innovative solutions to set new standards in top-level international winter sports. The focus will be on materials development, materials technology, materials analysis, surface modification and novel coating systems for skis. Schaeffler's technological expertise and innovative strength benefit numerous DSV disciplines, including biathlon, cross-country skiing, ski jumping, and alpine skiing.

Schaeffler Chief Technology Officer Uwe Wagner says: “Schaeffler has very extensive technological know-how in motion technology, in both applications and fundamentals. A key element of this is our expertise in materials development and coatings. This deep understanding of friction in the context of different systems will enable us to refine and improve the technology used by elite skiers so that they can lift their performance even further. We are looking forward to our partnership with the DSV, and to notching up many winter sports successes together.”

DSV National Coach for Science Karlheinz Waibel adds: “In Schaeffler we have a partner with the expertise and innovation capability needed to meet all our highly specific ski sports requirements. We will work together on further boosting our athletes’ performance through optimized material characteristics and innovative coatings, so as to achieve the best possible results.”

The collaboration with the German Ski Association is a logical continuation of previous Schaeffler commitments in other areas of elite sport. In the DTM, Schaeffler has been delivering top technological solutions for years as the series’ long-term technology partner. A prime example of this is the Schaeffler innovation taxi: a mobile test platform, with which new developments can be tested and experienced on the racetrack.

In track cycling, Schaeffler technologies helped the pairing of Robert Förstemann and Thomas Ulbricht claim Paralympics bronze and set a German record in 2024. Among the technology in play were specially coated wheel bearings and a high-performance low-viscosity oil – developed for minimal friction and maximum efficiency.

Even on water, it is clear to see what it means when the Motion Technology Company reinvents movement: for big wave surfer Sebastian Steudtner, Schaeffler developed a special surface coating for his surfboard, in order to reduce the amount of friction between the board and the water. In doing so, Schaeffler played a role in the Steudtner setting an official world record for the biggest wave ever surfed.

This know-how now forms the starting point for Schaeffler in the further development of the DSV skis. A central focus of the strategic partnership will be the development of surface coatings optimized for a diverse range of snow and weather conditions. As a leading surface technology supplier, Motion Technology Company Schaeffler has a broad portfolio of coatings. The company has the profound expertise in materials analysis needed to investigate complex interactions between environmental conditions and material properties and hence identify new approaches.

By fine-tuning tribological properties, it can modify coatings and optimize them for specific uses. This may involve giving the surface special hydrophobic or hydrophilic properties, for example, thereby optimizing the ski’s gliding properties. Schaeffler is also working on developing highly sustainable ski coatings that are free of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) and can be adapted according to the specific requirements of competitive skiing.

Prof. Dr. Tim Hosenfeldt is already looking ahead: “Technology plays a decisive role in high-performance sport,” says the Head of Central Technologies at Schaeffler. “By leveraging our technological capabilities, we are able to realize tangible performance benefits in terms of efficiency and reliability in close cooperation with the DSV.”