In contrast to the Nordic disciplines, there have been quite a few changes in the coaching ranks of the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup teams before the upcoming Olympic season. Please find below a summary of those that have come to the attention of FIS so far:

In the USA, Alpine Director Jesse Hunt is stepping down from his position at the end of May. He is moving on to become general manager and program director of the Park City Ski Education Foundation. Hunt's has worked for the USSA for sixteen years and during that time he has overseen 18 medals at World Championships. Another change in the US Alpine Ski Team was the retirement of coach Greg Needell after seven seasons for family reasons.

Another major piece of news comes from France that snatched Patrice Morisod, the long-time coach of the successful Swiss men's speed team with Didier Cuche and Didier Defago to take over the French men's speed team . Also in France, Frederic Perrin has taken over the men's slalom squad from Jacques Theolier, who has moved on to the Italian squad, and will oversee the assault on the World and European Cup.

Replacing Morisod, Mauro Pini, the personal coach of Swiss young star Lara Gut during 2008/09, will coach the Swiss speedsters. 44-year-old Pini, who was also former coach of Spain's no. 1 Maria Jose' Rienda-Contreras, will work directly reporting to men's Head Coach Martin Rufener. Pini's role with Lara Gut will be taken over by her father Pauli Gut with special counseling by veteran coach Karl Frehsner for the speed events. Other changes are in the Swiss ladies ranks include the departure of Beat Schur and Hans Ueli Bösch, two assistant coaches.

In Austria, Christian Hoflehner has taken over as the coach for the men's technical events, whilst Andreas Evers will assist with the downhill team and Walter Hlebayna has made the switch back to the Austrians from the German team. A total of 17 changes were made to the coaching structure in Austria after the team did not enjoy relatively as much success as in the past, including the removal of three assistant coach positions.

Following the serious training accident of Christian Scholz last September, Karlheinz Waibel is leading the German men's team. He will be supported by Thomas Aschauer for the speed team, taking over from Walter Hlebayna. Replacement for Mario Weinhandl as coach for the technical events has not yet been decided.

Up North, Thomas Stauffer is the new Head Coach for the Swedish men's team, as his former position as Head Coach for both men and ladies will be filled by general manager for Alpine Skiing, Anders Sundqvist. Hans Ottosson has left his position as Head Coach for the ladies and is now responsible for the ladies' junior team and he has been replaced by Ulf Emilsson who earlier worked with World Cup speed teams. In Norway, Svein Erik Owesen has taken over the ladies team and will newly be supported by Jorgen Nordlund. There has been no change with the men's team coaching staff led by Marius Arnesen.

FIS
21/05/2009