ÖSV Head Coach: "In Norway, I can't help anyone further"

The ÖSV women's ski team has a new head coach in Johannes Zöchling.

The 46-year-old from Lower Austria was introduced as Roland Assinger's successor in early April.

Zöchling had already been involved with the ÖSV for over 14 years in his coaching career, but for the past two years, he worked as coach of the Norwegian women's technical team.

"To be completely honest: Over the course of last season, I had the feeling that in Norway, I couldn't really help anyone further anymore," Zöchling explained in an interview with the "Tiroler Tageszeitung".

Zöchling Ended Collaboration

Why was that the case? "It had linguistic reasons. It was about more profound conversations. You need those to be able to tease out the last little bit. We spoke English with each other, which worked well, but only up to a certain extent."

That's why he decided to end his collaboration with the Norwegian Ski Federation.

"In Austria, victories are expected"

In the Austrian Ski Federation, there is, of course, quick pressure to succeed, and Zöchling is aware of this – last World Cup season, only two Austrians, Julia Scheib and Cornelia Hütter, stood on the top step of the podium.

"In Austria, victories and consistent podium finishes are expected. We must work on ensuring that the athletes are consistently among the world's elite," says the new women's head coach.

How the ÖSV Women are to Close the Gap on the World Elite

How is that supposed to look in detail? Zöchling sees the mental component as crucial:

"The difference between a good turn and a truly fast turn is the athletes' self-confidence and their power to deliver powerful, dynamic skiing. Then you can get everything out of the skis, you can ski fast. It's up to the entire coaching team to work that out with the girls."

The new ski season kicks off on October 24 with the giant slalom in Sölden.