Hoedlmoser named U.S. women’s alpine head coach

PARK CITY, UT (April 7) – Following one of the U.S. Ski Team’s most successful seasons to date, Alex Hoedlmoser will take the role of women’s alpine head coach after spending six seasons leading the program’s speed athletes.

“Alex is a highly skilled coach with a deep knowledge of the sport, and a great understanding of the culture of our team,” USSA Vice President, Athletics Luke Bodensteiner said. ” He’s had a large hand in our past successes, and I’m excited for him to lead this team moving forward.”

“After 13 years with USSA and some successful years as the women’s alpine speed head coach of the organization, I was looking for a new challenge,” said Hoedlmoser.” This is  an opportunity to continue working with an amazing group of people, but with a different scope of duties. I am very happy and motivated to continue on with a great program and to provide all resources needed to achieve our goals.”

Born in Salzburg, Hoedlmoser is a former Austrian World Cup racer and national giant slalom champion. He spent eight years with the Austrian national team, ending in 1992, and spent another four years as a pro racer. He also was a coach and waxing technician with the Austrian women’s team before joining the U.S. coaching staff.

He became a member of the U.S. coaching staff in 1998 where he spent his first year as the Europa Cup coach before becoming assistant World Cup downhill/super G coach in the ’98 Olympic season.

Hoedlmoser was named women’s speed head coach in the 2004 season and has since been named USSA Alpine International Coach of the Year twice.

With the new responsibilities Hoedlmoser hopes to keep the momentum with the team rolling to ensure success in the future.

“I will try to keep things that are working the same. But the team – coaches and athletes – will have to raise the bar and keep on moving,” Hoedlmoser said. “If we sit on our success other teams will pass us. In order to defend our position and to improve we need to set high goals and work even harder.”

Hoedlmoser takes charge of a women’s team on which Lindsey Vonn (Vail, CO) and Julia Mancuso (Olympic Valley, CA) garnered four Olympic medals, with Vonn taking four Audi FIS World Cup titles, including the overall crown, in the 2010 season. With veterans like Vonn and Mancuso,  as well as Sarah Schleper (Vail, CO), and future stars including Alice McKennis (Glenwood Springs, CO), Megan McJames (Park City, UT), Leanne Smith (Conway, NH), Hailey Duke (Boise, ID) and Chelsea Marshall (Pittsfield, VT), Hoedlmoser hopes the team will remain focused on the task at hand.

“The strength of the team is a great coaching staff and athletes that are determined to improve and work tirelessly towards success,” Hoedlmoser said. “I will provide all resources needed to have great training so the athletes can focus on their mission.”