Swiss-Ski dismiss women’s speed coach

Swiss-Ski announced this week that they have parted ways with women’s speed coach Stefan Abplanalp.

According to a release from the Swiss National Governing Body of ski sports, Abplanalp was dismissed for “repeated unprofessional behavior in public.” The report said Abplanalp was relieved of his duties and returned to Switzerland from World Cup races in Sochi, Russia on Monday, Feb. 20.

Austrian newspapers have claimed that the firing stemmed from Abplanalp’s involvement in an alcohol-fuled tussle in which a former Russia coach was injured when he was hit by a glass.

The coach had been warned about his off-hill behavior in writing only a few days before he again broke Swiss-Ski behavior standards in Sochi. “The recent events during the World Cup race in Sochi have led to this unfortunate step,” read the official release. “Swiss Ski regrets the step, and is sorry to have to lose a coach with indisputable technical qualities. Abplanalp has in recent years contributed significantly to building the world’s best teams in the women’s World Cup speed.”

Head coach Mauro Pini will lead the training group on an interim basis.