Park City, UT – The U.S. Freestyle Ski Team has a new addition heading into the 2010-11 winter season, with Harald Marbler being named moguls C team coach. The noted Austrian coach brings eight years of coaching experience at the World Cup level to the U.S. Ski Team.n”Harald brings our staff to a new level with his ideas for the future of the sport,” said U.S. Ski Team Freestyle Director Todd Schirman. “He is not only a great coach but his new perspective will keep us leading the development of mogul skiing.”
“I am looking forward to working with and being part of a great team with good support and great passion for the sport,” said Marbler. “I hope that I am able to assist as many athletes as possible to achieve their goals and dreams, make them stronger and to bring and keep them at the top level.”
Marbler has spent the past eight years working for the Austrian Ski Federation as head moguls coach working specifically with his former wife Margarita Marbler. Prior to his coaching debut in 2002, he was a staple on the Austrian Freestyle World Cup Team for 10 years.
“After nearly 18 years with the Austrian Team, as a skier and coach, it was time for a change, especially after my top athlete, Margarita Marbler, has retired,” he said. “Austria is a skiing nation, but mostly focuses on alpine skiing. When you are given the opportunity to work with the best team in our sport it is not really difficult to decide to go for it.”
During his Austrian coaching reign, he was at the forefront of the progression of moguls skiing. He pushed the limit being one of the first groups to work on 720s, off axis jumps and back fulls in women’s moguls, as well as promoting safety in the sport with helmets and back protection.
He more notably coached Margarita Marbler to two of the highest scores ever recorded in women’s moguls skiing, two World Championship bronze medals and three Olympics. Alongside of his decorated resume, is a wealth of knowledge in physical conditioning management, public relations, travel organization, technological development, development of moguls skis and building mogul courses.
“Harald is a great fit to our program and has what it takes to work with the best mogul team in the world,” said Schirman. He has been very well received by our athletes at our first on snow camp in Australia. He is technically sound and has great experience at the World Cup level.”
Marbler joined the team for the month-long camp at Perisher, Australia. The next camp is scheduled for September at the Utah Olympic Park before heading to Zermatt, Switzerland for some on-snow time.
The World Cup season opener is set for Dec. 11 in Suomu, Finland. However, Marbler and the C Team crew will be focusing on and gearing up for U.S Selections in Steamboat Springs, Colo., Dec. 16 -22.