Almost no turnover on US women's coaching staff

The athletic leadership that helped guide one of the most successful seasons in women’s alpine history will continue to direct the 2014 U.S. Alpine Ski Team with the philosophy that idleness is not an option.

Alex Hoedlmoser will continue to lead the women’s U.S. Alpine Ski Team for his 17th season with the U.S. Ski Team, his fourth as the Head Coach. During his tenure as Head Coach, the women’s team has produced nine World Cup titles and four World Championship medals.

“Our philosophy is that we cannot stand still,” said Hoedlmoser. “This staff has worked incredibly hard to become a best in the world athletic program and we intend to keep on raising our level. But to do that, we need to continually challenge ourselves and our athletes. We cannot get complacent or comfortable, especially in an Olympic year.

Speed Head Coach Chip White, who is a finalist for the U.S. Olympic Committee National Coach of Year — the organizations most prestigious coaching honor — also returns for his 17th year with the U.S. Ski Team.

White led all six of his athletes to the 2013 World Cup podium, four of them for the first time in their career. The team also captured the nations standings for downhill by a massive 457 point margin. Additionally Lindsey Vonn captured a record sixth straight downhill title and Julia Mancuso and Stacey Cook were in the hunt for titles through the final race of the season.

Roland Pfeifer will guide the technical program for the third consecutive year. During his tenure, Resi Stiegler returned to the World Cup slalom podium and Mikaela Shiffrin won World Championship slalom gold and the World Cup slalom title in only her sophomore year on the World Cup tour.

Chris Knight and Jeff Fergus will continue on as multi coaches for overall skiers Vonn and Mancuso. Fergus works directly with Vonn, while Knight is focused on Mancuso.

The only noted changes to the women’s staff are the addition of Pascal Hasler, who will join the speed coaching staff and Ryan Cornish, who returns to the team as a ski technician for the women’s technical team. Hasler formerly led top speed contender Tina Weirather of Liechtenstein.

Veteran coach Trevor Wagner remains at the helm of the Europa Cup program and Seth McCadam will continue to guide the Development Team.

The Team will utilize training in New Zealand and Chile along with on snow at official U.S. Ski Team training partners the U.S. Ski Team Speed Center at Copper Mountain, Mammoth Mountain and Soelden in addition to conditioning camps at the Center of Excellence in the lead up to the 2014 Olympic season.

“I’m proud not to have to make any major changes to my staff,” Hoedlmoser said. “Chip is a great leader. It’s incredibly impressive to place all of your athletes on the World Cup podium in a single season, but I know he’s already looking ahead to more and we’re excited to have Pascal bring his experience to this group.

“With Mikaela’s World Championship and World Cup slalom title, Roland has proven his ability to lead at big events and he has great support from Pete Anderson, who continues to grow in his position,” added Hoedlmoser.

“Ferg [Jeff Fergus] and Chris have built programs that work for Lindsey and Julia and they’ll continue to push them to further success. Julia was in the hunt for the super G title until the last race of the season and has proven she can be in there for the overall too. And Jeff has created what we feel will be a successful return to snow program for Lindsey that will prepare her to compete as strong or stronger than ever.”

2013-14 WOMEN’S U.S. ALPINE SKI TEAM COACHING STAFF


Program Director: Patrick Riml

Head Coach: Alex Hoedlmoser

Team Manager: Chelsea Steinbach

Head Physiotherapist: Lindsay Winninger
World Cup Multi
Head Coach: Chris Knight

Assistant Coach: Jeff Fergus

Head Ski Service Lindsey Vonn: Heinz Heammerle

Head Ski Service Julia Mancuso: Michael Gmeiner


World Cup Speed
Head Coach: Chip White

Assistant Coach: Wade Bishop

Assistant Coach: Pascal Hasler

Ski Service: Ales Sopotnik

Ski Service: Miha Dolinar
World Cup Technical

Head Coach: Roland Pfeifer

Assistant Coach: Pete Anderson

Ski Service: Ryan Cornish

Atomic Ski Service Mikaela Shiffrin: Kim Erlandsson
Europa Cup 
Head Coach: Trevor Wagner

Assistant Coach: Jeff Pickering

Ski Service: Jonathan Weyant
Development 
Head Coach: Seth McCadam


Photos: USSA