Switzerland remains firmly in the hands of South Tyrolean ski coaches

So, with Patrick Staudacher and Peter Fill, the Italian men's World Cup team still has "only" two Italian coaches. It has been leaked that Fill is expected to move from the giant slalom team to the downhill and super-G team. Alex Prosch is poised to switch from the European Cup speed team to the giant slalom group in the World Cup – also with the men. Of course, as is typical at this time of year, everything is unofficial at the Italian Winter Sports Federation (FISI), and the team rosters and coaches will only be announced later.

Other national teams have already finalized their plans. As always, the Swiss Ski Federation (Swiss Ski) acted decisively very early. And as always, it's striking how many South Tyrolean coaches work for the Swiss – a sure sign of how highly their work is valued.

An Olympic hero relies on South Tyrolean expertise For the men, Michael Gufler from Passeier enters his fourth season as coach of the speed team, which includes Monney, Murisier, Rogentin, Kohler, and especially superstar Franjo von Allmen. Sepp Kuppelwieser will continue to serve as von Allmen's serviceman.

Franjo von Allmen won three gold medals at the Olympic Games. © APA/afp / FABRICE COFFRINI

The four-member slalom group called "Elite WC," consisting of Giuliano Fux, Joel Lüdolf, Reto Mächler, and Florian Vogt, is coached by Martin Veith from the Upper Vinschgau region. The giant slalom group "Elite EC," on the other hand, is coached by Niko Stricker (Goldrain).

The Swiss women's ski team is firmly in South Tyrolean hands. This applies less to the "Mastery WC 1" group, which includes Malorie Blanc, Jasmine Flury, Michelle Gisin, Lara Gut-Behrami (are both returning?), and Corinne Suter, than to all the other groups: In the "Mastery WC 2" group, which focuses on giant slalom, Christoph Kienzl from Nals is the head coach. He is assisted by the legendary Luis Prenn from Innichen, one of the most experienced ski coaches in the World Cup.

Pfitscher starts its third season In the "Mastery WC 3" series, which focuses on slalom, Heini Pfitscher from Truden is entering his third season. He will be supported there by, among others, Simone Sperindé (Bolzano), while Simon Vicenzi from Ultental is Camille Rast's serviceman.

The potential stars of tomorrow are being trained by Roland Platzer (St. Valentin auf der Haide) in the "Elite EC 1" group, which focuses on speed disciplines; Manuel Gamper from Ultental in the "Elite EC 2" group, which focuses on giant slalom/speed; and Fabio Becchimanzi (St. Valentin) in the "Elite EC 4" group. Hubert Aichner (Völs) is a serviceman in this group, while Philipp Karbon (Kastelruth) is a coach in the "Elite EC 3" group, under the leadership of group head Silvano Stadler.

South Tyrolean know-how in young talent But that's not all for the Swiss women's ski team: Mirko Pederiva (Lana – entering his 17th season with Swiss Ski) and Juri Staffler (Schenna) work as service personnel in the elite junior group. The same applies to Italo Panzanini, who works with the elite junior men. The Merano native – the younger brother of former world-class racer Sabina Panzanini – is in his second year with the Swiss team (last year he was with the women) and is something of a newcomer to the sport, having previously gained experience at all levels as a coach, administrator, and manager.

South Tyrol's greatest ski coaching legend, Franz Gamper, will no longer be seen in the World Cup. At 75, he has retired, a well-deserved farewell, even though his protégé Ester Ledecka was very reluctant to let him go.

Tennis

hockey

Winter sports

Football

Italy

International leagues

International

Learn More

Motorsport

Cycling

Watersports

Favorites

Switzerland remains firmly in the hands of South Tyrolean ski coaches

South Tyrolean ski coaches are a sought-after commodity in the World Cup – less so with the Italian national team, but all the more so abroad.

Comments (0)