Andi Schmid steps down as British Skeleton Performance Director after 17 years of outstanding success
Andi Schmid is stepping down from his role as British Skeleton Performance Director after an outstanding 17-year tenure that saw him guide sliders to seven medals at five Winter Olympic Games from their training base at the University of Bath.
A former World Champion slider for his native Austria, Schmid took over the role in 2001 and helped to build and foster a training environment that has established British Skeleton as a powerhouse in the sport.
Among the Winter Olympic Games medals won by British athletes in 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2018 are three gold – one for Amy Williams and two for Lizzy Yarnold. Schmid also guided the nation to hundreds of medals across the international circuits during spells as PD, coach and advisor.
“It has been a real privilege to serve British Skeleton and its people but now is the right time for me to step back and let someone else drive the team forward to the next Olympics in Beijing,” said Schmid, who will remain on board in an advisory capacity for the foreseeable future.
“I have had so many highs here and have so many happy memories of the people and the performances. Winning medals for the country at the Winter Olympics are obviously standout moments but I’m equally proud of the team spirit and the culture we have built here. People genuinely look at the programme as an example of how to generate success and the whole team here should be very proud of that.
“It has been a real pleasure to have worked with so many talented and hard-working athletes and staff who have all shared the same dream of making British Skeleton so successful. I have always felt fully supported during my time with the team and I hope they have felt the same way about working with me.”
The British Bobsleigh & Skeleton Association (BBSA) will begin the search for Schmid’s successor immediately.
Click here to read the full story on the BBSA website.
Pictured (top) is Andi Schmid (right) at this year’s University of Bath Blues Awards with PyeongChang 2018 skeleton athletes (from left) Jerry Rice, Laura Deas, Dom Parsons and Jackie Narracott.
