Patrick Riml Returns to Austria

By Published On: April 29th, 2019Comments Off on Patrick Riml Returns to Austria

The Austrian Ski Association (OSV) announced the restructuring of its alpine staff heading into the 2019/20 season in accordance with President Prof. Peter Schroecksnadel’s initiative to ensure continued economic and sporting success in future years. Longtime Sports Director Hans Pum announced his resignation in early April after 42 years of service in the organization which will conclude in July. The plan for succession in administrative and coaching roles has now been revealed.

Patrick Riml, who previously served in Alpine Director roles in the U.S. and Canada, returns to his native Austria for the first time in 20 years to work in a newly created advisory post where he will oversee the organization and structure in the alpine disciplines. Riml was most recently Alpine Director for the U.S. Ski Team from 2011-2018. Anton “Toni” Giger, who has headed OSV’s department of development, research, and innovation since 2010, will assume Pum’s position as Competitive Sports Director.

“I am very grateful for the confidence of the President and Toni Giger that I can undertake such a task in the Austrian Ski Association,” Riml said. “This is the best bandage in the world. After 20 years in North America I am very happy to be back in Austria. The task area is very specifically defined. It’s all about optimizing training and competition preparations. However, it also requires support from the sports leaders – as far as the analysis area, the team positions, etc. are concerned. It is also important to have a perfect setup worldwide for training venues in order to be able to get the maximum out of the game at all times. Another point is to help coaches – be it in the women’s or men’s area – to be able to develop further.”

Juergen Kriechbaum, who has served as head women’s coach since 2013, will now be responsible for special projects in junior development and talent identification. In his place, Styrian Christian Mitter leaves the Norwegian men’s team where he has successfully worked for the past 12 years to assume the role of head women’s coach in his native country.

Schroecksnadel sees this reorganization as a forward-thinking step to secure the world’s best administrative and coaching personnel in the Austrian federation.

Release courtesy of OSV and FIS.

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