Toni Giger Leaves Austrian Ski Federation After 33 Years

Few people have had such a decisive influence on the recent history of the Austrian Ski Federation as Toni Giger. After 33 years, the now sports director is ending his career with the Austrian Ski Association to devote himself to new tasks. Countless successes and many technological achievements will remain in the history books. For example, as Alpine Racing Director, 6 overall World Cup and 26 discipline World Cup titles and 12 Nations Cup victories were recorded. This made Toni Giger the most successful men's head coach in the history of the ÖSV.

Thanks and respect for the successful work

"With Toni Giger, one of the most successful coaches and leaders of the last decades, is leaving the Austrian Ski Federation. He played a decisive role in the outstanding achievements of the past decades, both as racing director, head of the department for development, research and innovation, and sports director. On behalf of the entire Austrian ski family, we would like to express our special thanks and respect to him for this," explains ÖSV President Roswitha Stadlober and wishes the outgoing sports director all the best for his future career. "On the one hand, we are losing a special connoisseur and insider of the ski racing world, but on the other hand, we can continue to draw on many of his insights and innovations - through the Ski Austria Service & Technology competence centre that he established."

ÖSV Finance Officer Patrick Ortlieb also takes the same line. "Anyone who reads Toni Giger's track record knows what a special footprint he and his team have left in Austrian skiing history. However, it is not only the victories that distinguish his era but also the numerous sports stars - from Hermann Maier to Marcel Hirscher - who have made it to the absolute top of the world thanks to his support. Toni has created perfect conditions for our athletes with his meticulousness and hard work and has also constantly optimised the system."

Toni Giger himself looks back on his unique era in the ÖSV with a lot of joy and deep gratitude: "To be allowed to do his dream job for 33 years in a professional sports environment like the ÖSV: how many people have this luck in their professional life? Accordingly, I am grateful for everything that has been achieved for skiing in Austria during this long period, thanks to the commitment of many people. The sporting successes, technological innovations, and progress in safety make this time so valuable for me personally. The human quality, the team spirit, and the enthusiasm behind all the big and small successes remain. Therefore, my special farewell thanks go to all those who have walked the path with me. The staff of the ÖSV, the former and current leaders of the federation for their appreciation and trust in my work, my fellow coaches, partners and supporters of the ÖSV and, of course, the generations of athletes with whom I have had the privilege of working during these 33 years. It was, is and remains an honour for me! Currently, the ÖSV is in a phase of upheaval, and many things are in motion. In the past few weeks, the decision has matured in me that I, too, would like to make another professional change and take on a new challenge - at best possible time. It was not an easy decision for me to make, but it was the right one. I wish my successors and the entire ÖSV team the very best. And I will be just as happy about every one of their successes in the future as I have been in my 33 years in the ÖSV."