<p>GENEVA &mdash; Billionaire businessman Johan Eliasch was elected president of the International Ski Federation on Friday.</p>
<p>Eliasch, the long-time CEO of ski and tennis brand Head, garnered a majority 65 of the 119 votes from national ski federations in the first round of polling.</p>
<p>The London-based Swede, one of four candidates, had pledged during his campaign to leave his Head role if elected.</p>
<p>Eliasch is just the fifth FIS president in its 97-year history. He succeeds Gian Franco Kasper, who held the office since 1998 and leaves one year early.</p>
<p>The next FIS election is scheduled next year.</p>
<p>Eliasch beat Swiss former world downhill champion Urs Lehmann, former FIS secretary general Sarah Lewis of Britain and FIS vice president Mats Arjes of Sweden.</p>
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