After 25 years of coaching within the Alberta ski racing system, Alberta Ski Team men’s head coach Richard Jagger has accepted a new position with the Canadian Alpine Ski Team. The Edmonton native will assist the men’s Combi/Tech Group to compete on the world cup and Europa Cup tours.
An influential presence since moving into the coaching ranks in 1989, Jagger built an impressive resume through his work with Snow Valley Ski Club, Banff Alpine Racers (coach and technical director), assistant coach with the Alberta Ski Team (1999-2003) and head coach of the men’s AST for the past eight seasons.
His success in qualifying athletes to the FIS World Junior Alpine Ski Championships while working side-by-side with long-time assistant coach Duane Baird provided Jagger several opportunities to be included on the Canadian coaching staff.
Jagger is well known to be one of the most successful provincial ski team coaches in Canada, having coached a marquee list of Canadian champions from the critical formative years within the provincial level to the national team.
These include 2009 world champion John Kucera, 2014 Olympic bronze medalist Jan Hudec, 2014 Olympian Trevor Philp, two-time Canadian slalom champion Erik Read, NCAA all-American Travis Dawson, world cup athlete Paul Stutz, Canadian ski cross athletes Brady Leman and Tristan Tafel, as well as Canadian Alpine Ski Team alumni Cam Brewington and Michael Mackie.
“Over the years through the ups and downs of training, Jags has a keen eye for the small details to get us back on track. He’s been a big influence on my career on and off the snow and we’ll miss him,” said current AST athlete Rob Greig.
“This is a great opportunity for Richard,” said Alberta Alpine President Adam Hull. “His passion and experience in leading the AST is a big reason Alberta has been so prolific in moving athletes to the Canadian team. We know these qualities will be of enormous benefit to the athletes of the Canadian team, which includes several from Alberta. And it is critically important to have the provincial level and national level working together if Canada is to be successful at the international level. We wish him well at the world cup and Europa Cup.”
Devoted to his teams and the sport, Jagger has been committed to building a leading high performance program in Canada. “Alberta is my home and I am proud to have coached from the entry level to the provincial team,” said Jagger. “The goal has always been the same; to help children and young people pursue their dreams, teach them to ski fast and become great grownups.”
Jagger will start his new position with Alpine Canada Alpin effective May 1. Current AST men’s assistant coach Duane Baird and Alberta Alpine athletics director Brett Zagozewski will provide technical direction for the program while a search is launched for a new men’s head coach.
