The U.S. Ski Team announced a change to its alpine women’s coaching staff. Alpine Director Patrick Riml will be taking over interim management of the women’s technical team, overseeing the current staff, which includes Assistant Coach Gary Miller and Strength and Conditioning Coach Luca de Marchi.

“We felt that a change was important to create the best team dynamics and stability, providing focus for Mikaela Shiffrin and our other U.S. athletes,” said Riml. “Roland Pfeifer will be re-assigned to another position within our program with the men’s team where we can continue to use his skills.”

Pfeifer worked closely with Shiffrin since her World Cup debut in 2011. She has won the last two World Cup slaloms in dominating fashion. The technical team has one more competition prior to the Vail/Beaver Creek World Championships — a night slalom in Flachau, Austria, Tuesday, Jan. 12, where Shiffrin is the defending champion.

Additionally, the Austrian press reported changes on the women’s speed team staff as well on Wednesday. The team secured its first-ever podium sweep at the Lake Louise downhill in December, but assistant coaches Wade Bishop and Pascal Hasler were released. They have been replaced by Martin Gray (Copper Mountain Competition Manager) and Michael Rogan (formerly of the USSA TEAM Academy) through the end of the season.

Despite the turnover, leadership in the organization is optimistic heading into the World Championships.

“We have two new coaches who really fit into the crew. The coaching atmosphere is good now,” said head women’s speed coach Stef Abplanalp.