Former US Ski Team staff member named Mikaela Shiffrin’s new coach

The U.S. Ski Team has announced that Mike Day, current head men’s coach at Green Mountain Valley School (GMVS) and former coach for Ted Ligety, will make a return to the national team to serve as women’s head coach, working specifically with Olympic champion Mikaela Shiffrin.

“I am excited to be back with the U.S. Ski Team,” Day said. “Mikaela is an amazing talent and an inspiring person. I look forward to joining her exceptional team next week in New Zealand.”

A coach in various capacities for more than 15 years, Day previously coached Ligety, who became a world champion and won two World Cup giant slalom titles during Day’s tenure with the men’s technical team from 2010-2013.

“Mike Day is an experienced leader and great coach who has worked very successfully with the U.S. Ski Team in the past, as well as with GMVS, one of the leading academy programs in America,” said Patrick Riml, the U.S. Ski Team alpine director. “He made a difference for the team in the past, especially with Ted Ligety. It will be great to have an American coach back in the system. We are thankful to Steve Utter and GMVS for the support as Mike transitions to our program to coach Mikaela Shiffrin in this important Olympic cycle.”

GMVS has a tradition of excellence in staffing and a track record of success with their athletes. Earlier this month former women’s head technical coach Brandon Dyksterhouse, a GMVS alumnus and former GMVS head men’s coach, resigned from his coaching role with the U.S. Ski Team.

“The selection of Mike Day to be Mikaela’s primary coach reflects positively on our system at GMVS and our staffing,” shared GMVS Alpine Program Director Steve Utter. “GMVS is honored that Mike will be part of a team charged with steering Mikaela’s training and competition plan leading up to the Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang. He is an outstanding coach and we wish him the best in this exciting venture.”

According to Riml, the U.S. Ski Team is looking forward to continuing this momentum with Day. He will join a staff that includes Head Strength and Conditioning Coach Jeff Lackie.

Day will assume his coaching position officially on July 18, and will join the team in New Zealand for the first on-snow training camp of the season at the end of the month. The U.S. Ski Team is still seeking an additional coach for their women’s World Cup technical program.

Release courtesy of the U.S. Ski Team