Better Fast Than Pretty: ÖSV Abandons the Ski Instructor Mentality

"The Majority Has No Chance of Victory"

The Styrian native avoids setting outcome-based goals for the winter. The most important thing, he says, is for the athletes to show their best turns in the race.

"And then we'll see where we stand," says Mitter. "Honestly: The majority of people competing simply don't have a realistic chance of winning. But if you finish twelfth, you had the twelfth-best giant slalom turn of the day, and then you can look at why you were twelfth and not third or first. We simply have to analyze that very clearly."

Mitter's expectation: To work in a process-oriented rather than results-oriented way.

Transformation in Austrian Skiing

Mitter is entering his second season as ÖSV Alpine Director. Together with Sports Director Mario Stecher, he has initiated a transformation in Austrian skiing.

"It's about getting from A to B as fast as possible, and not as beautifully and safely as possible, like a ski instructor," Mitter explains.

Sports Director Mario Stecher already observes the first changes: "This understanding has developed within the ÖSV, that you simply have to let the ski run freely."

That applies to the World Cup as well as to the junior athletes.

The Same Language

Mitter, for whom it is the 17th World Cup season in various capacities, has developed a philosophy over the years and also scientifically backed it up.

In many individual discussions, he has brought it closer to specialized schools, regional ski federations, clubs, and parents.

"It's a different view of what the key points are at the top level of racing. The effect is that you clear out a few myths and legends circulating in the alpine skiing business. And not just in Austria," says Mitter.

Ideally, everyone in Austrian skiing should then "speak the same language" – and get from start to finish as quickly as possible.

"I've Got the Audi in My Pocket"

Mitter has also made it his mission to instill confidence in the federation and the athletes. They should dare to aim higher and strive for more.

"It's about," Mitter explains, "if you finish fifth, not saying: 'Okay, that's good enough.'"

"Or: I've got the Audi in my pocket," Stecher adds, alluding to the vehicle that ÖSV national team squad athletes receive from the sponsor.

The ÖSV Doesn't Want to Hide

Instead of understatement, they want to see determination, as also demanded by ÖSV men's head coach Marko Pfeifer to the "APA".

"Our aspiration should be to approach every race with the intention of winning. We are Austria; we have one to two, or even several people in every discipline who can and will win races. We don't need to hide."

Mitter also doesn't think much of keeping expectations low.

"There will always be something at stake – whether for a junior racer or a World Cup winner. They want to compete; otherwise, they wouldn't need to participate."