Elite skier Franziska Gritschová dismissed coach Florian Stengg over relationship, sparking controversy in Austrian Ski Association

Things started to spark between the elite skier Franziska Gritschová and her coach Florian Steng. The Austrian Ski Association considered it unacceptable and dismissed the coach. Subsequently, his new partner also left the national team.

“Following your heart sometimes means going down new paths, taking bold steps and often leaving your comfort zone,” the 26-year-old rival of Petra Vlhová in the World Cup wrote on her Instagram.

Their relationship was not met with understanding in the Austrian Ski Association and Florian Stengg was expelled from the team. “It is unacceptable for a coach to have a relationship with his client. We no longer trust him,” said the head of the alpine section, Herbert Mandl.

The opinion of the general secretary, who said that his departure is the best solution for the team, is similar. “We wanted to get this resolved before it got too far,” stated Christian Scherer.

Franziska Gritschová allegedly did not trust the other coaches too much, so she also decided to leave. As the Kleine Zeitung portal reports, he will work with Florian Steng in a private team.

She will continue to compete for Austria, and the association will cover her travel and accommodation expenses. However, the organization and financing of the trainings will be under her direction. According to her, she thought this decision through carefully and hopes that the change will be a positive impetus for her career.

The Austrian skier has completed 104 World Cup races, of which she has stood on the podium five times. However, she still lacks a winning trophy in her collection. Already on Thursday, she is waiting for the slalom in Courchevel.

However, it is not certain whether Franziska Gritschová will continue with the private team next season, as the union is ready to negotiate her return.

news-item-description">In the 2023/24 World Cup in downhill skiing, Slovakia will be represented again by the Olympic slalom gold holder from Beijing 2022, Petra Vlhová, who is the strongest in slalom. In addition to the most winding discipline, she also plans to start in the giant slalom, she should include speed disciplines in her program only exceptionally.

2023-12-18 13:30:00
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