Canadian women's coach staff shifts

The Canadian women’s coaching staff might seem familiar next season, but it will be mightily different with four coaches leaving or changing positions.

Alpine Canada has bumped women’s head coach Patrick Riml upstairs into the newly created position of Athletic Director, the Canadian team announced today (April 19.)

Riml will be charged with sustaining a dramatic improvement in national team performances since 2002.

“Patrick has shown tremendous leadership and had a proven track record of success leading teams to Olympic and World Championship success,” said Chief Athletics Officer Max Gartner in making the announcement. “Having Patrick in this new position will ensure we continue the momentum. … as we shift the focus to a new Olympic cycle.”

Replacing Riml as women’s coach will be a familiar face as Hughes Ansermoz will return after spending four seasons with the Swiss ski team. He had been a Canadian coach for nine seasons.

Additionally women’s speed coach Rob Boyd has elected a position with the Whistler Mountain Ski Club and coach Heinzpeter Platter, the head women’s speed coach, is returning to his native Italy to accept a position with aerial lift manufacturer Leitner Lifts. Boyd will serve as Sports Development Manager.

Women’s technical coach Mark Sharp is also leaving the fold and will return to Team Panorama where he will continue coaching.

All of these changes were announced on the opening day of Sommet ACA Summit 2010, a gathering of top Canadian coaches and ski racing leaders for a chance to concentrate on off-snow development.

The Swiss had previously announced former Canadian men’s speed coach Lionel Finance was signed to coach the Swiss women’s technical teams.
 
GEPA photo