The coach of the Sweden men’s Alpine ski team Thomas Stauffer of Switzerland stepped down from his long-term position as Head Coach of the Swedish Alpine men's team to become the new Head coach of the German ladies team.
Stauffer, who has held various positions in the Swedish skiing federation for seven years, was coach of the Swedish men's Alpine ski team for the past three years after having led both the men's and the women's Alpine ski teams from 2007 to 2009. Earlier this year in Vancouver, the Swedish Alpine men took their first Olympic medal in 22 years with Andre Myhrer placing third in the Olympic slalom race.
"It's been a good time for me here in Sweden; a lot of work but we have also built up a good thing during those years," said Thomas Stauffer and added"I've received a good and challenging job offer and I feel it is time to rise to that challenge."
Over the next few weeks, the Swedes plan to conduct a season analysis, and the team management will review the organization to ensure the best preparation for the future.
"We would like to thank Thomas Stauffer for all his work for Swedish Alpine Skiing over the years and wish him well in the future, "says Anders Sundqvist, Alpine Director.
There will be some additional changes to the Swedish Alpine coaching staff. Rudi Soulard, who has been a coach in Sweden for twelve years before he signed with the USSA and coached the American men for two years, will return to Sweden. Soulard, originally from France now living in Linköping, will replace Anders Carlsson, Arvika, who has decided to resign after the Olympic season as Coach of the ladies' World Cup technical team. Magnus Larsson, from Torsby, will move up to the World Cup team from coaching the junior team, whilst Matias Eriksson has announced that he will not continue to work with the World Cup team next season.
"It feels good to already be able to announce the recruitment of two talented coaches. We are currently revising the Alpine organization and will continue to work on building a strong team," said Per Lehmann, Secretary General of the Swedish Ski Association.
Stauffer as new Head coach of the German Alpine Ladies Team
After completion of the DSV-meeting in the Swabian Künzelsau the German Ski Federation informed about the important new appointment in the discipline of Alpine. Thomas Stauffer becomes the new ladies Head Coach with the start of the preparation for the new season. All other coaches of the German Ski Association will remain in office. Additional personnel and structural changes in the teams are decided in the coming weeks as part of the discipline-specific meetings.
The previous head coach of the Swedish men's team Thomas Stauffer replaces Mathias Berthold, who has left the German Ski Federation at the end of the season and switched to the Austrian Ski Federation.
"I'm looking forward to my new job at the German Ski Association. With the ladies team, I take over a good and intact team. The home World Cup in Garmisch-Partenkirchen is the absolute highlight in the coming winter. With my experience I would like to contribute that the team can best prepare for this major event."
Wolfgang Maier, Alpine Director:
"With Thomas Stauffer, we were able to oblige our preferred candidate for the ladies team. Thomas has all the prerequisites in order to continue the successful work of his predecessor. "
