Italy's winter sports chief Coppi resigns

MILAN, Italy — Italian Winter Sports Federation president Gaetano Coppi has resigned, sending Italy's teams into disarray just as the ski season gets under way.

MILAN, Italy — Italian Winter Sports Federation president Gaetano Coppi has resigned, sending Italy's teams into disarray just as the ski season gets under way.
    Coppi announced his surprise decision in a letter read at a federation (FISI) board meeting Tuesday, appearing bitter over criticism related to the federation's economic troubles following this year's Torino Olympic Games.
    ''I always said that FISI was not in such a great crisis, but rather a moment of difficulty that would have passed,'' Coppi said. ''Now that milestone is closer. At this point, I resign irrevocably.''
    Coppi, president since 2000, said FISI has signed on two new sponsors that would raise €$3.65 million over three years.
    ''This is news that I've waited a long time for'' and which will ''bring the federation near to economic recovery,'' Coppi said.
    The sponsors will be introduced Friday in Val Gardena, where men's World Cup alpine races are scheduled this weekend.
    The World Cup cross country circuit was racing in Cogne on Wednesday and snowboard races were in San Vigilio di Marebbe.
    Some coaches have indicated they could leave their posts over the resignation.
    ''It's a disgrace,'' Italian skier Massimiliano Blardone was quoted as saying by Gazzetta dello Sport.
    ''The president certainly had the greatest reasons for quitting … Between tonight and tomorrow, I believe that we athletes will get together with all the coaches to work this out together, to understand what is happening and to see what to do.''