U.S. cross-country head coach Trond Nystad and the American sprint coach have resigned less than two weeks after the Olympics ended, and assistant Pete Vordenberg was promoted into the top spot at least through the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games.
Nystad and sprint coach Vidar Loefshus announced their resignations to the U.S. skiers Thursday in Oslo, Norway, site of a weekend World Cup event.
Loefshus plans to return to his native Norway.
, while Nystad wants to spend more time with his new wife, German Olympic skier Claudia Kuenzel.
“Trond’s just burned out,” said Bodensteiner, who has been interviewing potential additions to the coaching staff the past two weeks. “He goes full gas all the time and he’s done so for the last four years. He’s given more than what he had for sure. … Nobody’s disappointed. They understand these guys have a life outside of skiing.”
Nystad has been with the U.S. Ski Team for four years and Loefshus for two. Vordenberg was a natural choice to become the new head coach. He is popular with the team and has made many positive changes in the program during his tenure.
“The athletes are happy he’s sticking around and that he’ll be in that leadership role,” Bodensteiner said. “It’s going to be a smooth transition.”
Bodensteiner hopes to have a staff in place by mid-April. Thanks to increased funding from the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association announced last month in Pragelato, Italy, Bodensteiner plans to add a new fourth coaching position.
Also, the Americans’ lead wax technician, Chris Hall, has left the program and Roar Lillefjell moved from an assistant wax tech into the top job. Bodensteiner said he will hire another one or two wax techs.
AP-ES-03-09-06 1924EST
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