Stefan Abplanalp handing over reins to Silvan Epp as coach for Swiss women's speed team

The Swiss women's World Cup speed skiing group is getting a new head coach. Stefan Abplanalp is handing over the reins to Silvan Epp for the 2026/27 season.

Silvan Epp is leaving the Engelberg Sports High School, where he works as Head of Alpine Skiing, to join Swiss-Ski. For the 44-year-old, this marks a return to familiar territory. Epp previously worked as a coach for the women's World Cup speed team from 2016 to 2018; from 2020 to 2024, he coached the Swiss men's team at the interface between the World Cup and European Cup competitions; other positions included the National Performance Center Central Switzerland, the Haslital Regional Performance Center, and the private team of his now-wife, Andrea Ellenberger.

Stefan Abplanalp returned to Swiss-Ski in the spring of 2025 as the successor to long-time group coach Roland Platzer. The team, including downhill world champions Corinne Suter (2021) and Jasmine Flury (2023), experienced a challenging season with highs and lows due to various comebacks and new injury-related absences.

“The entire coaching team, led by Stefan Abplanalp as group coach, mastered an extremely challenging situation well; otherwise, highlights such as Corinne Suter’s four podium finishes after her enforced break at the start of the season, or Malorie Blanc’s first World Cup victory at home in Crans-Montana, would not have been possible,” says Hans Flatscher, Director of Alpine Skiing. “Nevertheless, after a comprehensive season analysis together with Stefan Abplanalp, we concluded that adjustments are necessary in view of the coming years and the ongoing generational change.”

Discussions are currently underway with Stefan Abplanalp regarding a continuation of his work at Swiss-Ski in a new role. "We are committed to retaining Stefan Abplanalp's expertise for our association," says Hans Flatscher.

Stefan Abplanalp says: “I am grateful and proud of how we, as a team of athletes and staff, dealt with the challenges and successfully concluded the season. I will now take the necessary time to deepen discussions with Swiss-Ski about a new role and carefully explore the options.”