Coberger in charge of NZ ski team

Wellington - Ski Racing New Zealand (SRNZ) looked offshore before importing one coach and appointing another boasting arguably the most famous surname within the domestic ranks.

Frenchman Eric Rolland was today named to coach the New Zealand women's team while New Zealander Nils Coberger will coach the men's team.

Coberger, a brother of 1992 Winter Olympic silver medallist Annelise Coberger, was SRNZ's alpine director in 1999-2000 before accepting a coaching position with the Aspen Valley Ski Club in the United States.

He is looking forward to being part of the new SRNZ national teams' structure.

"It is excellent to have the resources to put in place a proper programme with the next Olympics so close.

"We will be able to build on that moving forward to 2010. It is certainly exciting to be involved."

Rolland represented France on the World Cup circuit for several years and is fully certified in the French coaching system.

SRNZ chief executive Sue Bridgwater said the appointment of the national coaches was a milestone.

"Their experience and proven coaching abilities will make a strong contribution to our aim of increasing the profile of New Zealand ski racing."

SRNZ also today named its national men's and women's teams.

Women:

Nicola Campbell (Dunedin)

Michelle Greig (Queenstown)

Sarah Jarvis (Hamilton)

Julia McClean (Invercargill)

Erika McLeod (Auckland).

Men:

James Arnott (Queenstown)

Mark Bridgwater (Christchurch)

Tim Cafe (Queenstown)

Andrew Greig (Queenstown)

Mickey Ross (Oamaru).

- NZPA