Changes for Team Rahlves: Tech Willi Wiltz is out, Atomic boots are in

Changes for Team Rahlves: Tech Willi Wiltz is out, Atomic boots are in{mosimage}Daron Rahlves has switched from Lange boots to Atomic, succumbing to the company’s strong push to get athletes who already use their skis, bindings and plates to add the newly successful boot. Also, Rahlves confirmed that he will not retain Willi Wiltz as his ski technician for the 2004-05 season.

Rahlves reports he was faster on the Atomic boots when he tested them in Norway in March, but said the decision was difficult nonetheless. “I have nothing but love for everyone at Lange and their boots,” he says. “I’ve just found a great feeling and support from Atomic with their boots.”

Rahlves added that being on the “full package” would give Atomic extra incentive to help him win World Cup and Olympic medals during the next two years. “Atomic is making it very lucrative to get on the full package,” said one industry insider.

Rather than work with Wiltz next season, Rahlves will be using an Austrian serviceman who works within the Atomic factory on a daily basis. It’s a decision that Rahlves said caused him sleepness nights. “We’ve done some great things together, and I love Willi no end,” Rahlves says, “but he’s not the full factory guy, and that’s the next step to reaching the top.”

Wiltz is taking time off for a vacation in Hawaii, and is unsure what he’ll do next year. “It would be tough for me to go for 25th after aiming for first place,” he said. “I’m not sure I want to look over my shoulder and see someone putting ‘D’ into his bindings. But I don’t blame Daron. He needs to do what’s best for him.”

Rahlves stressed that it wasn’t a personal decision. He says the next two years are the most important of his career, and that he needs a level playing field with his competitors if he’s going to achieve his goals. Part of that, he says, was getting the inside track at Atomic. He felt that having an Austrian serviceman would give him access to the fastest materials and most up-to-date research.

“I’ve had a ton of skis,” says Rahlves, “but they’re not all up to par with the best race skis. … And it’s a huge load off not to have to test to find out which ones are the best. That’s time I could spend better on training.”

Fast skis are especially important for Rahlves; smaller than most of his competitors on the World Cup speed circuit, he’s at a natural disadvantage on flats. “Daron’s notorious for making up time on the rough, steep sections,” said Atomic USA’s Ed Guzman. “Willi got his skis fast for him on the flats, too. He’s one of the best.”

A sparkling record and charismatic personality have made Wiltz an enormous presence in American skiing. Wiltz prepared Tommy Moe’s skis for his gold-medal run in the Olympic downhill at Lillehammer, Norway, in 1994, and saw Rahlves out of the start through most of the wins that have made him the most successful speed skier in American history.

Both of them friendly Californians, Rahlves and Wiltz approached the World Cup as a team. “My best moment this year was Kitzbuehel,” said Rahlves, referring to the week where he had four podiums in four races. “Willi was right there in the start, breathing almost as hard as I was. I love his passion.”

The U.S. Ski Team is hoping to find a way to keep Wiltz on the staff. “All I can say is that I’m very conscientious right now about finding a space for Willi with our team,” said head speed coach John McBride on April 13. “If I can find a way to keep him on, I will.”