The relationship between Austrian athlete Fransziska Gritsch and coach Florida Stengg was too much for the Austrian alpine skiing team.
Austrian alpine skier Franziska Gritsch and coach Stengg of Florida had to leave the country because of the relationship between the duo of the alpine skiing team.
– It is unacceptable that a coach is in a relationship with his athlete. We no longer had confidence in him, the head of Austrian alpine skiing Herbert Mandl said the Slovakian according to sport.sk referring to Steng.
In the wake of the coach, Gritsch was also left out of the national team group.
26-year-old Gritsch reached the podium in the super giant slalom last World Cup season. In total, he has been on the podium in the Alpine Skiing World Cup three times. In addition, Gritsch has a team championship silver from Åre from 2019.
Gritsch says on his Instagram that he plans to continue competing in the Austrian knot. The Austrian federation will pay for his travel and accommodation expenses at the Games.
However, the difference is that Gritsch competes and trains in a private team. The 34-year-old Stengg works there as a coach. The two have to take care of the exercises and their costs themselves.
“Following your heart sometimes means stepping on new paths, leaving your comfort zone and always taking the right steps by following your instincts,” Gritsch wrote on Instagram.
He says that he thought about the decision for a long time.
– I’m looking forward to the upcoming exercises and competitions. However, I am aware of the additional challenges associated with the change, such as additional personal efforts, organizing training and preparing for competitions. However, I am convinced that if you are ready to accept challenges and follow your heart, you are on the right path.
For Gritsch, the first race in the new situation will be on Thursday, when the slalom will be held in Courchevel, France.