With a list of proteges that includes 2005 overall World Cup title winner and two-time Olympic medallist Anja Paerson of Sweden, and seven-time World Cup gold medallist Karen Putzer of Italy, Heinzpeter Platter is one of the most successful alpine coaches in the world.
Starting this winter, Platter will be wearing the maple leaf as the latest addition to the Canadian Alpine Ski Team’s coaching staff.
As the head coach for the women’s speed team, Platter will be working with skiers like Fernie’s Emily Brydon, Melanie Turgeon, Genevieve Simard, Kelly Vanderbeek, and Allison Forsyth, who are already gaining consistency and making the top-15 in women’s events.
"The fact that Heinzpeter chose to leave the Italian team in this Olympic year to join the Canadians says a lot about his sensitivity to Canada’s great potential," said Hugues Ansermoz, the head coach for the women’s team.
Ansermoz will be joining coaches like Piotr Jelen, who is entering his 23 rd year with the ski team, and Whistler’s Rob Boyd, who was brought in last year as a giant slalom and super G coach.
While Platter’s addition helps boost Canada’s prospects for Torino in 2006, his main focus will be readying the team for the 2010 events in Whistler.
"I look forward to working with the Canadian women on the long term as we build a winning team for 2010," said Platter. "Speed events (downhill and super G) are becoming more technical. I am excited at the prospect of sharing my experience and technical skills with this women’s team in the hope of bringing more success to this talented team.
"I am also happy to be in Canada, where I will improve my English and immerse myself in a new culture."
Platter’s will join the women’s speed team at a camp in Zermatt, Switzerland at the end of July.
