Austrian men’s alpine team staff departs for elsewhere

By Published On: March 31st, 2014Comments Off on Austrian men’s alpine team staff departs for elsewhere
Mathias Berthold at an Olympic press conference in Sochi. GEPA/Christian Walgram

Mathias Berthold at an Olympic press conference in Sochi. GEPA/Christian Walgram

“I have decided for personal and private reasons to not renew the contract with the Austrian Ski Federation,” announced Mathias Berthold after four years of working as head coach of the Austrian men’s team. “The last years were marked by a very high workload. I want to thank all the coaches, leaders, athletes, and the Austrians for the very professional relationship.”

Burkhard Schaffer working with Hannes Reichelt. GEPA/Wolfgang Grebien

Burkhard Schaffer working with Hannes Reichelt. GEPA/Wolfgang Grebien

Austrian Ski Federation director Hans Pum said, “Mathias has communicated to me in a personal conversation that he is no longer available as athletic director for the next season. I’m personally very sorry, because I appreciate him. He has done excellent work for the Austrian Ski Federation over the last four seasons, for which I am grateful. I wish him all the best.”

During Berthold’s tenure, the Austrian men won two Olympic gold medals, an Olympic silver medal, three times the overall World Cup by Marcel Hirscher and eight world championship medals. Berthold has been widely reported by numerous media sources as a serious candidate to return to the German team, where he previously worked for seven years. Besides Berthold, speed coach Burkhard Schaffer will also leave the Austrian Ski Federation to take over the men’s coaching position in Canada vacated by a retiring John “Johno” McBride. Schaffer previously coached the Canadian men’s speed team from 2001-2006.

News courtesy of the Austrian Ski Federation

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