ALPINE:

Riml named athletic director, Ansermoz returns, Boyd departs

April 20, 2010 — Alpine Canada         

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Patrick Riml will lead Canada's alpine ski teams in the new position of CAST athletic director, the national sport governing body announced Monday.

Riml, the Canadian women’s head coach the past two seasons, will focus on sustaining efforts that have led to dramatic improvements in performance by Canada's national alpine ski teams since 2002.

"Patrick has shown tremendous leadership and has a proven track record of success leading teams to Olympic and World Championship success," said Chief Athletics Officer Max Gartner. "Having Patrick in this new position will ensure we continue the momentum that Canada's alpine ski teams have developed with the success in recent years as we shift the focus to a new Olympic cycle."

Riml, an Austrian native whose wife, Jodie, is from Lethbridge, Alberta, spent the last two seasons as the manager of the Canadian women’s alpine ski team. He spent seven seasons with the U.S. Ski Team prior to that.

Riml's coaching accomplishments include coaching Emily Brydon to World Cup podium results at Lake Louise on consecutive days — a first by a Canadian female ski racer — as well as Olympic giant slalom gold in 2006 and overall World Cup titles with the U.S. team.

Hugues Ansermoz is returning to Canada's women’s alpine ski team after spending four successful seasons with the Swiss ski team. Ansermoz spent nine seasons with the Canadian team beginning in 1997, serving in various capacities, including the women’s team manager. Last season, he led the Swiss women’s team to 10 World Cup podiums, including two World Cup victories in the super-G.

Monday’s announcements complete a new structure within Alpine Canada athletics department, which is now led by athletic directors for CAST, CPAST and national development teams.

Also, World Cup speed team coach Rob Boyd is moving to a position with the Whistler Mountain Ski Club, while Heinzpeter Platter is moving on to skiing-related employment in his home country of Italy.

"I have enjoyed and appreciated my last six years of employment with ACA, working and learning with some of the best athletes and coaches in the world. I am proud to have enjoyed many accomplishments, including several podiums and a couple victories," said Boyd, who is one of Canada's most recognizable ski racers with six career World Cup podium results, including a downhill victory at Whistler in 1989.

Boyd has taken a position as sport development manager with the Whistler Mountain Ski Club.

"I plan to work with the local race club encouraging and sharing with the athletes and coaches in hopes of creating future champions in ski sports," said Boyd, a Whistler resident who retired from World Cup competition in 1997, joining the national team in a coaching capacity in 2004.

Platter, the head coach of Canada's women’s speed team since 2005, has taken a position with aerial lift manufacturer Leitner Lifts, allowing him to be closer to his young family in Europe.

Mark Sharp, who began coaching with the national ski team in 1995 and has served in a number of different capacities, including as women’s technical team coach, is returning to coach for Team Panorama, a ski club near Invermere, B.C., that includes Sharp's son Keegan.

Canada's alpine ski teams finished the 2009-10 season with four World Cup victories this season, the most since 1984, as well as eight World Cup podiums. Erik Guay also became the first Canadian since Steve Podborski in 1982 to win an overall discipline title.
Dustin Cook won the overall men's Nor-Am Cup title, the top ski racing series in North America, while Canada's Para-Alpine Ski Team finished with 13 medals at the 2010 Paralympic Games.

Monday’s announcement comes on the opening day of the Sommet ACA Summit 2010, which brings together top coaches and ski racing leaders from across the country for on- and off-snow development sessions being held to build success beyond 2010.  SRC