New season, new faces: Coach changes in XC

Mon, May  17, 2010 - By FIS

The season after an Olympic season always includes some coach changes in the ski business. This is also the case among the FIS Cross-Country World Cup teams. Here is a summary of some that have come to the attention of the FIS Newsflash so far:

In Canada, Justin Wadsworth, a three-time Olympian for the United States, has accepted the position as head coach of the national team. The husband of Beckie Scott succeeds Inge Braaten who has returned to his home in Norway after one year leading the Canadian squad through to the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. The new head coach in France is the 37-year-old Grand Borand native Christophe Deloche, who replaces Pierre Mignerey who has been engaged as FIS Assistant Race Director. Another new head coach was announced by the USA. Chris Grover will take over the U.S. Cross Country Ski Team as the team begins its run to the Sochi Games in 2014. Grover takes over the head coach position from Pete Vordenberg, who will stay on with the team, shifting his focus onto a new development strategy.

In Finland, head coach Magnar Dalen has received a new assistant coach. Nicklas Grön (SWE), who was coaching the Swedish B-Team last year. The German Ski Association announced the employment of Marcus Cramer, the former head coach in Switzerland, as their junior coach. Head coach Jochen Behle with the lead coaches Cuno Schreyl (men) and Janko Neuber (ladies) will stay in their positions.

In Switzerland, Tor Arne Hetland (NOR) will join the staff as the new sprint coach, replacing Trond Nystad (NOR). Since former head and ladies' coach Cramer and the men's coach Fredrik Aukland left the team, additional staffing announcements are expected soon. In Sweden, Rikard Grip was named the new coach of the ladies' distance team. Former coach Magnus Ingesson assumes a new role as a resource manager and mentor for the team.

In several countries, negotiations are still underway and new appointments will be announced shortly. In Norway (head coach Aage Skinstad) and in Estonia (head coach Mati Alavar), the team remains mostly the same.

Contributed by Sandra Spitz