Ski racer Franziska Gritsch and the ÖSV are going their separate ways for the time being. The reason is the relationship with one of her trainers.
On Thursday Franziska Gritsch started the night slalom in Courchevel. Actually, such World Cup races have long been routine for the 26-year-old. The Austrian has been competing in the highest category of ski races since 2017 and has already been on the podium three times. But this race was a novelty for Gritsch because she is now officially a private driver.
The Austrian Ski Association (ÖSV) announced the decision on Monday. The reason was the relationship between Gritsch and Florian Stengg, who was previously assistant coach in the Austrian World Cup team. “Due to the private situation between my trusted coach at the ÖSV, Florian Stengg, and I, our collaboration within the ÖSV team could not be continued, which is, however, a very important concern to me personally and which is why we have decided together to pursue this project close to our hearts.”wrote Gritsch on Facebook.
Favoritism cannot be ruled out – Gritsch is no longer allowed to train
Stengg will continue to coach Gritsch. “We would have offered him to continue other activities, just not in the team. But after they decided to go this route privately, he has to resign as coach.”said ÖSV Alpine boss Herbert Mandl to ORF and explained: “He can’t pretend that he doesn’t favor her in some way.”
Gritsch will continue to be an ÖSV squad athlete and will be nominated by the association. But the 26-year-old cannot take part in any of the World Cup team’s training sessions and cannot stay in the same accommodations as the other racers. Stengg will no longer receive a salary from the ÖSV.
Gritsch: “Always follow your heart”
Nevertheless, Gritsch doesn’t seem to regret the step: “Always following your heart sometimes means taking new paths, often leaving your comfort zone and always taking courageous steps in order to follow your gut feeling and stay true”she wrote on Facebook.