The truth about making a comeback after being kicked out

By Christian Staffler

The next Winter Olympics will begin in Beijing on February 4, 2022. Athletes, coaches and ski associations gear their work towards such major events and rely on continuity. If someone is replaced, it is only because something profound has happened (such as with Petra Vlhova and Livio Magoni). Not so in Canada, where almost nine months before the start of the 2022 Olympics, everything was turned inside out without any necessity.

Phil McNichol is the man behind the supposed restructuring of the Canadian ski team. Manuel Gamper, as women's head coach, was not the only one who should give way to this realignment. The Slovenian Dusan Grasic (he had been the men's head coach since 2018) and the painter Agneta Platter also had to leave the Canadian team. In an official press statement, American-born McNichol presented the layoffs as an opportunity for Canadian youth and that Canada is rebuilding for the 2026 Olympics. The truth, however, is different: internal power struggles, self-interest and personal vanity are in the foreground.

Right in the middle of this mess is Manuel Gamper, who a long time ago was promoted as a young coach by, of all people, Phil McNichol. How could such a rift occur that almost destroyed the future of the Canadian women's ski team? Phil McNichol and the background to the dismissal Manuel Gamper is a calm and level-headed fellow. He chooses his words carefully and so that they are clear and unambiguous. He doesn't want to step on anyone's toes or even offend anyone. But what he has to say is explosive and doesn't fit at all with the romantic, dreamy image that exists in many places of Canada. “He probably wanted to put himself in that position.” Manuel Gamper on the reason for his dismissal When Gamper talks about his dismissal, he does so without leaving out even the smallest detail. The background events that led to the big bang are too important. Firstly, there is the fact that Gamper himself was one of the supporters of Phil McNichol as Alpine Canada's sports director. Or the story that the Canadian association wanted to withdraw its entire team from the World Cup before last season, but Gamper prevented this at the last minute and with the utmost consistency. Political issues, such as the fact that the coaching and support team largely comes from Europe and not Canada (“Surely one reason that Agneta is no longer there”) also played a role. What weighs most heavily for the South Tyrolean is the fact that he was fired a few months before the Olympics by a man who would have liked to sit in the head coach's chair in time for the big event. The assumption is obvious: “He probably wanted to put himself in this position.” Phil McNichol celebrated great success with Bode Miller's US ski team. © APA / CALLE TOERNSTROEM

McNichol's ambitions are no coincidence. From 2002 to 2008 he was head coach of the US ski team, which celebrated great success with Daron Rahlves, Bode Miller and Ted Ligety. Shortly before Gamper was fired, McNichol cut himself off and was unavailable for a week. “I had already prepared everything for the coming season and had come to a reasonable level with Phil. He then completely cut out everything for a week, and now I know why. At some point the invitation for a video telephone conversation came out of the blue. Because the human resources manager was also there, I knew: either he had to go or I had to.” The power of athletes When Gamper took over the Canadian women's ski team in 2016, he had no idea what problems would soon follow. In the beginning things went well and the budget was in line with the market. He now has to make do with a third. This is also why Gamper describes the continued existence of the team and the competitiveness of its athletes as the greatest success. Despite limited resources, Canadian women skiers are on the rise. Gamper believes an Olympic medal is possible. “The ski scene is already aware of what we can achieve with extremely limited resources. Phil tried to weaken me, but I concentrated even more on the sport.” Manuel Gamper with technical specialist Erin Mielzynski. © Alpine Canada

It is thanks to them that he will be traveling to China with his athletes. A letter from his protégés to the association president Thérèse Brisson (she won Olympic gold with the women's national ice hockey team in 2002) brought Gamper back to the team. “Shortly before I left for good, they understood what I had achieved. Under normal circumstances the athletes would never have admitted this.”

In contrast to the European nations, Canada has no youth teams because there is simply no money. If an athlete makes it into the World Cup squad, it is usually through private financing. Gamper can tell you a thing or two about it: “It happened that I asked ski companies for money so that I could give a young athlete a chance.” Erik Guay's role in the Canadian Ski Association There are now several financially strong entrepreneurs on the board who have paid off the huge mountain of debt of the last few years. One of the board members - although not one of the major donors - is Erik Guay, who ended his active career in November 2018. The former speed specialist knows the processes within a ski team - and that's exactly why Gamper would like more support from him. “I would like Erik to speak up one day. There is no real backing.” Manuel Gamper on Erik Guay “Erik sent me several messages after the release and said how sorry he was. He knows my value to the team and that cannot be denied. He always helps out, but there is no real backing. “I would like Erik to take the floor and make it clear to Phil which area of responsibility is his and which is mine,” said Gamper. Together in Calgary: Agneta Platter with Manuel Gamper (l.) and snowboard ace Roland Filehner.

One thing is certain for the South Tyrolean head coach, who would like to switch to a men's team again at some point in his coaching career: “After I return, it looks like I have nothing to lose. That's true in a way, but I see my task from two sides. Coaches often focus on one or two strong athletes. Especially when resources are limited or these athletes obviously have more potential. They then have great success, but that alone wasn't my goal in Canada. I always wanted to leave behind a strong team and a better system than I found. I'll probably have to adjust my strategy again this year. You’re always learning.” “It’s quite possible that it’s my last year in Canada.” Manuel Gamper about his future In a few days, Gamper and McNichol will face each other face to face again. Then the preparation for the Olympic season begins on the Stelvio Pass, which could also be Gamper's last with the maple leaves: “It's quite possible that it will be my last year in Canada. Phil McNichol can then show how he improves the system. Even if there is no more money available in the future, one day he will be able to understand many things better.” By the way, the sports director has already announced his coming to the Stelvio.

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The truth about making a comeback after being kicked out

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