Kempf doubles up as Swiss director of Nordic Combined and XC skiing

Wed, May  27, 2009 - By FIS

As usual before a season with Olympic Games, the changes in the coaching ranks of the Cross-Country World Cup teams have been minimal. We mentioned already some changes (click here) and would like to take this possibility to update this information with the news from the Swiss team.

Hippolyt Kempf, Olympic Champion from 1988 in Nordic Combined, has taken over the responsibility for the Swiss Cross-Country team as new Director of Cross-Country while also serving as Director of Nordic Combined. His goal will be based on the necessary support structure to have a successful Swiss Cross-Country team at the Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver and continuing in the future.

Furthermore, Swiss-Ski announced last week that Hansruedi Laich, its director and the highest administrative official in the Swiss National Ski Association, will be leaving the organization at the end of October after four years. Laich indicated that the timing is right for him to seek a new challenge, especially since the presidency and he had differing concepts for the future strategy and management of Swiss-Ski.

Urs Lehmann, President of Swiss-Ski explained: “Given the current circumstances with new presidency, the philosophy of the organization has changed. In order to meet our ambitious goals, everyone must be able to stand behind this new direction. We thank Hansruedi Laich for his engagement and contributions in the past four years during which he contributed greatly to our success.”