Biathlon | Cross-country skiing: Swiss-Ski brings its organisational structures closer together
Swiss-Ski announced on Tuesday morning that Rafael Ratti will be the new Head of Cross-Country Skiing and Biathlon from May 1. The 41-year-old from Engadin joins from Swiss Snowsports, where he is currently Head of Training.
A former cross-country skier in the Swiss-Ski B squad, he studied sports and movement sciences after retiring from sport. He then spent three years as a coach with the Liechtenstein Ski Federation, before becoming head of the second World Cup training group at Swiss-Ski during the 2015/2016 season.
“Whether as an athlete, coach or trainer, Nordic skiing has always been a central part of my life, says Rafael Ratti in a statement. In my new role, my main task will be to ensure the long-term development of the structures and the people who work within them.”
While the departure at the end of the season of Lukas Keel, head of biathlon since summer 2021, has been on the cards for some time, Lars Broennimann, head of cross-country skiing since autumn 2022, will also be leaving Swiss-Ski.
Gion-Antieni Maissen also joins the organisation chart
“After a thorough analysis, we have come to the mutual conclusion that the time has come to hand over overall responsibility for cross-country skiing and biathlon to a new management team, explains Swiss-Ski boss Walter Reusser. We would like to extend our warmest thanks to Lars Broennimann for his immense commitment and his valuable contribution to the development of Swiss cross-country skiing. We wish him all the best for his professional and personal future.’
“In principle, I’m clearly in favour of cross-country skiing and biathlon being better interconnected, confirms Lars Broennimann. However, we have not been able to agree on certain key points when it comes to implementation. After three exciting years at Swiss-Ski, it’s time for me to take a new turn. I couldn’t have wished for a better conclusion than the World Championships in Norway, the birthplace of cross-country skiing, where our team won three medals.”
Gion-Antieni Maissen will take up the new position of Head of Junior Cross-Country Skiing and Biathlon. The 40-year-old from Grisons was Head of Training at Swiss-Ski until autumn 2023. He will supervise the head coaches of Swiss-Ski’s C frames in cross-country skiing and biathlon, the three new head coaches for the Western (Fabian Bieri), Central (Edi Zihlmann) and Eastern (position still vacant) Interregions, and Selina Gasparin, who will be responsible for the development of the cross-country skiing and biathlon disciplines.
“With Juerg Capol as the new Nordic Director, Joel Bieri as Head of Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined, as well as Rafael Ratti and Gion-Antieni Maissen, our Nordic ski management team is once again complete, Walter Reusser is delighted to report. With these structural and personnel adjustments, we are confident that we have laid the foundations for comprehensive development, from the grassroots level in the regions right up to the elite level.’
- Lukas Keel, head of Swiss biathlon, to step down at the end of the season
- In Switzerland, Rafael Ratti replaces Torstein Drivenes
