PARK CITY, Utah (AFP) — Phil McNichol, coach of the US Alpine Ski World Cup team for the past five seasons, is stepping down following a season in which American ski stars claimed a record five titles.
"Phil has done an unbelievable job," US alpine director Jesse Hunt said. "The World Cup results we've had in the last six years under his leadership are significant. We're disappointed to see Phil leave."
McNichol, a club coach here and in Vail before joining the US staff 11 years ago, worked on development teams and has guided such US standouts as Bode Miller, Daron Rahlves and Ted Ligety.
"I'm proud of what we've done with the Team since 2003, giving Bode and Daron with the platform to perform," McNichol said. "And with Ted, we've developed a champion from scratch.
"You could see this year, through consistency and ability to handle pressure, that now he'll be able to branch out to other events and challenge for the overall... It's a real big challenge to get where we are now."
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