Stifel U.S. Freestyle Ski Team Announces Moguls Staffing Change

The Stifel U.S. Freestyle Ski Team has announced that Steve Desovich will join the moguls coaching staff for the upcoming 2024-25 season. 

Desovich, hailing from Killington, Vermont, had an incredibly successful World Cup career, including nine wins and 18 podium finishes. Following a fifth-place finish at the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympic Games, the first time moguls appeared in the Olympics, Desovich made the pivotal decision to transition to coaching. His coaching journey began with the Canadian National Team, a role he held for eight years. In 1998, he took his expertise to Melbourne, Australia, where he coached the Australian National Team until 2022. His leadership led to significant milestones, including coaching the first Australian woman to win a World Cup medal in 2001 and guiding Australian stars Dale Begg-Smith to an Olympic victory in 2006 and Matt Graham to a silver medal in PyeongChang in 2018. 

“Desovich’s strengths lie in his extensive coaching knowledge and experience, which will profoundly impact the performance management of the athletes he works with,” said Matt Gnoza, U.S. Ski & Snowboard Freestyle Sport Director. “We are confident that his collaboration and ability to teach at the micro level will elevate our team to new heights.”

The team’s performance in the 2023-24 season was outstanding, earning the Nations Cup and securing 32 podiums across eight athletes, five women and three men. This remarkable achievement sets a high standard for the upcoming season.

Desovich will serve as the primary coach for the men’s World Cup moguls team alongside Head Moguls Coach Bryon Wilson.

The moguls team will kick off their season in Ruka, Finland, on Nov. 30, 2024. The athletes will spend a few additional weeks competing in Europe before heading back stateside for the North American tour, stopping in Waterville, NH, Val St. Come, Quebec, CAN, and Deer Valley, UT, from Jan. 24 to Feb. 8, 2025.