In 1948 Oxford student John Pettifer attended the Varsity Ski Championships in Sestria in Italy, his first ski trip aged 28.
Skiing soon became his passion and after graduating saw the need to insure partakers in this seemingly dangerous pastime. Springs of the old bindings snapping against ankles, skis that don’t simply fall off after a seemingly gentle fall – costs for mountain rescue started rising.
Having secured a job at Lloyd's Insurance Group, Douglas Cox Tyrie, John introduced the first ever Wintersports policy. His initial client being the Royal Navy, followed shortly by a stream of Clients, Services, Ski Clubs and Ski Associations.
Time has moved on, but the desire and energy for wintersports and the mountain has not changed and the need for a quality ski insurance is still paramount. Michael Pettifer, John’s son ‘carrying the insurance baton’, MD for MPI Brokers, has returned to Varsity Twenty Ten as the insurance provider for the championships.
Michael says, “I am full of pride to be back here where it all began, the championships have been hugely enjoyable, it’s great to see that the students still hold the same love and passion for skiing as they did in my father’s generation. I am really happy to be able to provide a cost effective specialist insurance policy to ensure that the event and students safety continue for years to come, well done to the organisers.”
