CANMORE, Alta.—Cross Country Canada solidified the final dimension to its world-leading coaching and technical support team by naming Norway’s Inge Bråten as Senior National Team Coach, the national body announced on Friday.
Bråten brings more than three decades of experience in the sport to the Canadian Cross-Country Ski Team. A former high-performance athlete who competed on Norway’s national team, Bråten has helped guide some of the world’s best nordic athletes, including the legendary Bjørn Daehlie. Inge’s track record includes 13 Olympic gold medals throughout his career as a coach and personal trainer. Most recently, Bråten led Sweden to three gold and two bronze medals at the 2006 Olympics in Torino.
“Inge joins a talented team of individuals who have helped lead our athletes to personal best performances this year,” said Al Maddox, executive director, Cross Country Canada. “We are confident he will play a critical role within our support team by delivering a high level of instruction and motivation, and ensuring our athletes are fully prepared to win in this final drive towards 2010. We are delighted to have Inge join us in Canada.”
Outside of coaching, Bråten was educated as a teacher, and employed with a sport school in Europe. Bråten also spent 12 years working in television where he developed a sport channel focused on nordic sports in Sweden. He has also worked as a commentator for Eurosport, and is well versed in the challenges of elite world cup head-to-head ski racing.
In his new role, Bråten will be responsible for collaborating with all of the support teams and contributing to the comprehensive program delivery, leadership and coaching for the World Cup and Olympic team athletes.
“I attended a seminar in Canada in 1992 and have been looking forward to an opportunity for the last 16 years to come and coach with the Canadian team,” said Bråten. “I really just want to come and fit in with the team the best I can, and follow the plan that is in place while trying to get the best out of our skiers. It is a very talented team of athletes.”