Two FIS coaches selected for WISH Programme Cohort 5

Kristīne Cera (LAT, Para Alpine Skiing) and Lorena Lovisolo (ARG, Cross-Country) are set to take the next step in their coaching journey after being selected for Cohort 5 of the Women in Sport High Performance Pathway (WISH) Programme.

Delivered by the University of Hertfordshire and supported by Olympic Solidarity, the 21-month WISH Programme is designed to support female coaches in reaching the highest levels of international sport, from World Championships to the Olympic Games.

It brings together a global group of coaches, creating an environment where participants can grow as leaders while sharing experiences from across different disciplines and cultures.

For Cera and Lovisolo, the programme offers an opportunity to step outside their day-to-day coaching environments and focus on their personal and professional development.

Through a combination of online learning, tailored mentoring, and a residential week in Great Britain, they will work on strengthening their leadership approach, building confidence and expanding their international network.

The programme begins online on 10 June 2026, with a five-day residential session at the University of Hertfordshire later in the summer. This in-person component provides a key moment in the journey, allowing coaches to connect, exchange ideas, and learn from one another in an intensive and collaborative setting.

FIS supports their participation by covering the costs of the residential week and contributing to mentoring and sport-specific development activities.

Since its launch, WISH has supported more than 120 coaches worldwide, many of whom have gone on to take on roles at the highest level of their sport. Recent FIS graduate Nadia Bortoluzzi is among those who have benefited from the programme, which you can read more about here.

Kristīne Cera’s work in Latvia has also been highlighted through FIS Snow Stories, showcasing her role in developing the next generation of Para Alpine athletes.

Their selection reflects another positive step in strengthening female coaching pathways within FIS and highlights the growing impact of initiatives designed to support women in high-performance sport.