Park City, UT – The U.S. Alpine Ski Team has made a change in its women’s coaching staff. The team announced yesterday that Alpine Director Patrick Riml is taking over interim management of the women’s slalom/giant slalom team, overseeing current staff including Assistant Coach Gary Miller as well as Strength and Conditioning Coach Luca de Marchi.

“We felt that a change was important to create the best team dynamics and stability, providing focus for Mikaela Shiffrin and our other U.S. athletes,” said Riml. “Roland Pfeiffer will be re-assigned to another position within our program where we can continue to use his skills.”

Shiffrin has won the last two World Cup slaloms. The technical team has only one competition scheduled prior to the World Championships in Colorado, with a night slalom in Flachau, Austria next Tuesday, Jan. 12.