Coaching carousel: Staff changes across World Cup teams following 2024–25 season

With the 2024–25 World Cup season having wrapped up in Sun Valley, the off-season has already sparked a flurry of coaching changes across several top alpine skiing nations. From the Swiss Alps to the U.S. Rockies, national ski teams are reshaping their coaching staffs—welcoming back familiar names, embracing new leadership, and preparing for the road to Milano-Cortina 2026.

Austria: Evers returns, new leadership at the Helm

After a mixed performance this season, Austria is looking to reset. Andreas Evers returns as head coach of the Austrian men’s speed team, replacing Sepp Brunner, who is retiring after decades on the World Cup circuit. Evers, a respected figure who once coached Hermann Maier and worked with the Austrian Ski Federation from 1999 to 2012, is embracing the opportunity :

Men’s head coach Marko Pfeifer added:

“Andreas Evers is a very experienced coach. I’m confident he can lead our speed team back to success with his expertise.”

Behind the scenes, Austria is also undergoing structural changes. Christian Mitter—formerly with both the Norwegian and Austrian national programs—has been named Alpine Sports Director at the ÖSV. He previously led Austria’s women’s team and more recently coached the Norwegian men’s technical group.

Additionally, the ÖSV announced the creation of a new alpine training base in St. Christoph am Arlberg. The Ski Austria Academy will be overseen by Herbert Mandl, further signaling Austria’s long-term investment in infrastructure and development.

In a noteworthy off-snow move, Olympic champion Mario Reiter is leaving Austria after more than 15 years managing sponsorships for the federation. He will now join Swiss Ski, marking a significant shift on the commercial side of the sport.

Switzerland: Abplanalp returns to lead Women’s speed

Swiss Ski has made a headline-worthy hire, bringing back Stefan Abplanalp to lead the women’s speed team. A well-known figure in the sport, Abplanalp previously coached the Swiss women from 2004 to 2012 and has since worked with Norway, the U.S., and as a TV analyst for SRF.

Abplanalp will now coach stars like Lara Gut-Behrami and Corinne Suter, replacing Roland Platzer, who will transition to lead the nation’s Europa Cup speed group after 12 years on the World Cup tour.

Slovakia: Vlhova and Pini part ways

After four successful seasons together, Petra Vlhova and coach Mauro Pini have ended their collaboration. The announcement was confirmed by both parties, including a social media post from Pini. The duo achieved great success, including Vlhova’s overall World Cup title in 2021, making them one of the most effective partnerships in recent memory.

Pini’s next chapter will see him join the Italian national team, where he will work with a strong group of technical skiers: Alex Vinatzer, Tommaso Sala (returning to the team), Luca De Aliprandini, Filippo Della Vite, and Giovanni Franzoni.

Italy: Del Dio joins Norway

While Italy gains Pini, it loses another prominent coach. In one of the most surprising moves of the off-season, Simone Del Dio has stepped down as coach of Italy’s men’s slalom team.

Del Dio has accepted a high-profile role as coach of the Norwegian men’s team—a powerhouse squad known not only for their technical brilliance but also for their exceptional mentality and cohesion. He will now work with Atle Lie McGrath, Alexander Steen Olsen, Timon Haugan, and a new generation of rising stars.

USA: McBride Returns to Lead Men’s Speed Team

The U.S. Alpine Ski Team is also welcoming back a familiar face. John McBride returns to lead the men’s speed group after several years away from day-to-day coaching on the World Cup circuit.

The American speed team had a modest winter, securing just two podiums—both in Val Gardena. Jared Goldberg earned a surprise second place in the super-G, followed by Ryan Cochran-Siegle with a third-place finish in the downhill. Bryce Bennett, who entered the season with high expectations, failed to reach the podium.

Still, the athletes are energized by McBride’s return:

McBride shares the excitement:

“I’ve never lost my love for skiing. I’ve always stayed connected with the athletes, even if I wasn’t physically there.”

Germany: Thomas Dressen begins coaching career with Europa Cup Team

The German Ski Federation (DSV) is also making headlines with the return of a fan favorite—this time in a new role. Thomas Dressen, former speed specialist with 15 World Cup podiums, including five downhill victories, is stepping into coaching. He will join the German men’s Europa Cup team, marking the beginning of his post-racing career within the national setup.

Dressen’s experience and insight are expected to bring valuable leadership to Germany’s next generation of speed skiers as they work toward breaking back into the World Cup elite.