Alpine

U.S. Alpine Ski Team Names Women’s Head Coach

by
USSA
2015-05-07 10:56
 

PARK CITY, UT (May 7, 2015)—The U.S. Ski Team has named former Alpine Canada Vice President of Sports Paul Kristofic to its staff as women’s head coach. Kristofic brings to the U.S. Ski Team extensive coaching experience, and will be overseeing women’s World Cup and Europa Cup speed and technical teams.  

After working with Alpine Canada for the last 21 years, Kristofic brings a wealth of diverse experience to the U.S. Ski Team. “I'm looking forward to working with all the talented athletes, coaches and leadership at the U.S. Ski Team in my new role as alpine Women’s Head Coach,” said Kristofic. “For me, the most interesting aspect of the job is working with my staff and empowering them to make good decisions and bring the best out of every racer that’s on the roster.”

Kristofic, who was born in Edmonton, AB and grew up in Ottawa, ON, most recently assumed the role of Vice President of Sports for Alpine Canada. He started with Alpine Canada as a student intern. From there, he became a Continental Cup coach with the men’s alpine team, before transitioning to head coach of the women’s junior team. Kristofic then acted as coach with the Canadian men’s World Cup speed team from 2000 before taking over as head coach of the men’s program from 2006-2012.

When Kristofic acted as head coach of the Canadian men’s alpine team, his athletes produced multiple World Cup podiums and four world championship medalists, including back-to-back world downhill champions Erik Guay and John Kucera. During Kristofic’s tenure with Alpine Canada, Jan Hudec also ended a 20-year Olympic medal drought for the men’s alpine team, tying for the super G bronze with Bode Miller at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games.

pk and jan
2014 Olympic Bronze Medalist Jan Hudec and Paul Kristofic celebrate in Sochi.

The U.S. women’s head coach role was vacant for the 2015 season, after Alex Hoedlmoser moved over to head up the men’s speed team. The 2016 season will highlight new energy for the women’s coaching staff, having recently named Alberto Senigagliesi and Brandon Dyksterhouse as women’s alpine head speed and tech coaches, respectively.

Kristofic coached with U.S. Ski Team Alpine Director Patrick Riml for three years, who speaks highly of the new addition to the team. “We are lucky to have Paul, whom I’ve worked with in the past with Alpine Canada, to lead our women’s program,” said Riml. “I believe Paul—along with Brandon [Dyksterhouse] and Alberto [Senigagliesi]—will bring incredible value and strong leadership to oversee our women’s program and continue to build on the success we’ve seen in recent years. “

Kristofic will officially assume his new role with the U.S. Ski Team on June 1, 2015.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Former Vice President of Sports for Alpine Canada, and 2006-2012 men’s alpine head coach Paul Kristofic joins the U.S. Ski Team women’s alpine program as head coach, overseeing women’s World Cup and Europa Cup speed and technical teams.  
  • Kristofic spent a total of 21 years working with Alpine Canada, with 18 years coaching and three years as Vice President of Sports, managing athletic performance for Alpine Canada’s three sports—alpine, skicross, and para-alpine.
  • Kristofic will lead an entirely new roster of head coaches, including former Italian men’s speed team coach Alberto Senigagliesi (women’s speed) and Mikaela Shiffrin’s interim coach and former Ski & Snowboard Club Vail (SSCV) coach Brandon Dyksterhouse (women’s tech).
  • Kristofic is looking forward to working once again with Alpine Director Patrick Riml, whom he worked with for three years in the Canadian system.

QUOTES

Patrick Riml
We are lucky to have Paul, whom I’ve worked with in the past with Alpine Canada, to lead our women’s program. I believe Paul—along with Brandon [Dyksterhouse] and Alberto [Senigagliesi]—will bring incredible value and strong leadership to oversee our women’s program and continue to build on the success we’ve seen in recent years.

Paul Kristofic
I'm looking forward to working with all the talented athletes, coaches and leadership at the U.S. Ski Team in my new role as alpine Women’s Head Coach. I’m honored by the responsibility associated in working with such a high achieving team of professional athletes and coaches.

I’m personally motivated the most by winning World Cups, and I have a healthy respect for the details required to run successful World Cup Teams and all of the moving parts. For me, the most interesting aspect of the job is the strategies and tactics for getting all of those parts working together right, and working with my staff and empowering them to make good decisions and bring the best out of every racer that’s on the roster.

 


 


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