“It wasn’t easy” – Tough start for Austria’s new women’s ski jumping head coach

Austria’s new women’s ski jumping head coach, Thomas Diethart, has endured a complicated start to his tenure. Soon after taking over from Bernhard Metzler, two long‑time mainstays, Sara Marita Kramer and Jacqueline Seifriedsberger, announced their retirements. Then came the toughest blow: Austria’s nominal No. 1, Eva Pinkelnig, suffered a cruciate ligament (knee) injury that will keep her out for the entire Olympic season.

Despite these setbacks, Diethart insists the team will not lose its way. “It wasn’t easy, of course. We know we’re not as strong as in recent years, but we’re a small, refined team,” he said ahead of this week’s World Cup opener in Lillehammer.

He believes the remaining group has turned the initial shock into motivation. “They see a door opening—this is their chance to show what they can do.” A smaller roster also lets staff spend higher‑quality time with fewer athletes. The core is led by former serial winner Chiara Kreuzer and last season’s multiple podium finisher Lisa Eder. Diethart is optimistic about Kreuzer rebuilding confidence and embracing new approaches, and he praises Eder’s strengths. Julia Mühlbacher and Hannah Wiegele complete the World Cup squad for the start.

Diethart will not rush additional athletes into the lineup. The younger jumpers, he says, are fewer in number and need time, but they are well supported in Stams and the national training centers. The rebuild that was expected after the Olympics must now happen earlier, which he and his assistants view as a chance to “rebuild the entire system.” He also notes that ski jumping careers can change quickly—citing his own meteoric rise in 2013/14 capped by his surprise Four Hills victory.

The new head coach emphasizes a “feel‑good” approach: individual needs, well‑being of athletes and staff, and tailoring support so each jumper can showcase her strengths. Internationally, he expects continued dominance from Slovenia’s double world champion Nika Prevc, and notes that Abigail Strate (Canada) and Japan’s team looked strong in the Summer Grand Prix.

With Lillehammer’s World Cup opener imminent, Austria’s women aim to remain competitive despite the challenges, while laying foundations for a longer‑term resurgence.