The FIS World Cup 2019/20 is about to kick off in Ruka, Finland.
Tomorrow we will update you on those who we reckon got a shot on winning the Cup.
But today we want to start by introducing (or reminding you) the people who make them athletes, who shape them and who send them to the battles for podium:
Coaches
It’s not a definitive list, not every coach is mentioned below – mostly those we got to watch operating in the months between the end of the last season and now.
…Everybody understands that in this day & age to win or just to be in Top 10 at the finish of the World Cup season one has to invest – a lot. From operating your own wax truck that doubles up as equipment storage to hiring doctors and massage therapists. Only top 5-6 teams could afford that properly.
The others have to be crafty and concentrate all available resources on a relatively small group of selected athletes. And that strategy starts to bear fruits.