‘94 WINTER LILLEHAMMER OLYMPICS : Look Who’s Wanted : Interest in Hiring U.S. Ski Staff Increases After Americans’ Successful First Week

LILLEHAMMER, Norway —  America, hide your ski coaches.

Two weeks after the U.S. Alpine team was branded “the left-footed snow-plow brigade,” by Sports Illustrated, top European ski countries reportedly are wooing top American ski team staffers.

The U.S. team, in a reversal of fortunes, has already won four medals in skiing--more than traditional Alpine powers Austria, Switzerland and France combined.

“Funny how it changes things,” said Howard Peterson, the outgoing CEO of U.S. Skiing.

Peterson said that a Swiss counterpart, whom he would not name, has inquired about obtaining the services of U.S. men’s coach Ueli Luthi.

“He didn’t even know what Ueli does,” Peterson said.

Amazing what four medals in five events will do for a couple of reputations.

Peterson was the man held most accountable for U.S. skiing woes in the recent Sports Illustrated article. And now even he is beating away offers from the Europeans.

“There are two countries who want to hire me,” he said.

Peterson declined to name the countries. He took over as head of U.S. Skiing six years ago but was replaced last fall by Mike Jacki. Peterson will continue with the team through the spring, easing Jacki’s transition.

Paul Major, the U.S. Alpine director, said many of the top Alpine countries are in a frenzy over their poor Olympic performances.

“That’s always going on, especially this time of year,” Major said of the coach-hunting. “Because the teams that aren’t doing well are all nervous, their bosses are running around saying, ‘Ah, we’re going to fire this guy.’ It’s kind of a sad statement, but that’s the way it goes.”

Austria and France have yet to win an Alpine medal here. Switzerland won its first Monday, when Vreni Schneider took the silver in women’s combined.

Major, also the U.S. women’s coach, would not say whether he had received any job offers.

“I wouldn’t tell you if I did,” Major said.