Switch to Odermatt: Slalom star is left without a coach

The season isn't even over yet, and the ski scene's "transfer market" is already buzzing. At the center of it all: Marco Odermatt and a star female skier.

March 05, 2026

From: det

The Olympic Games are over, but the next big skiing highlight is just around the corner. In a year, the World Championships will take place in Crans-Montana. The Swiss ski stars, in particular, are already eagerly anticipating this home World Championship. However, there's some bad news for slalom star Wendy Holdener: the 55-time podium finisher is still without a coach for the upcoming season.

His long-time coach, Jörg Roten, has taken on a new challenge – in Marco Odermatt's entourage. Roten will become head of racing for the Swiss ski company Stöckli, whose biggest star is superstar Odermatt. "I've been a coach for 20 years, now is the perfect time to start something new," said Roten, who also previously worked as Henrik Kristoffersen's private coach.

Wendy Holdener needs a new trainer. © ANSA / ANDREA SOLERO

While it's a stroke of luck for Odermatt, Roten's departure hurts the Swiss team. "His departure is painful. He works directly and precisely. Replacing someone like that isn't easy," said women's head coach Beat Tschuor in the View cited.

Who will be the new Holdener manager?

A solution is expected to be presented by early April at the latest, but rumors are already swirling. The names Livio Magoni (former coach of Petra Vlhova) and Mauro Pini (most recently coach of Italy's men's slalom team) are being linked to Wendy Holdener. As the Swiss View Reports indicate that an internal solution is most likely. Holdener himself has not yet commented on the coaching situation.

Keywords Winter sports Alpine skiing Wendy Holdener Marco Odermatt