Swiss name Braten head cross country coach

The Swiss Ski Federation (SSF) announced yesterday (May 25) that longtime cross country skiing coach Inge Braten has accepted the position as Head Coach of the growing stable of fine Swiss racers, and will be calling the shots for their National Team. Braten, a Norwegian native, was most recently the coach for the Canadian National Team and is widely regarded by many to be one of the sport’s top trainers.

Braten, 61, will oversee the squad that includes superstar Dario Cologna, along with promising racers Remo Fischer, Curdin Perl and Toni Livers. In March, the SSF also announced that Olympian Tor Arne Hetland had been named chief of the sprint team. It should be noted that Christian Flury will continue to lead the women’s team.

In other coaching news in cross country, Norwegian native Magnar Dahlen will remain at the helm of the Finnish team this season. The team will likely consist of eleven members, but if resources, are increased there may be additions as soon as August.

Dalen told the FIS XC web site that he is focusing on “alot of high altitude training and extra hill training will be my main goal this season. The whole national team will go to five high altitude camps starting with August at Silvaplana (SUI).” The Finn’s will be prepping for the biggie events this season like the World Cup, Tour de Ski, and the upcoming World Championships in Oslo.

Peter Q. Graves