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The University of Utah Athletics
Pierre Niess Joins Utah Ski Team as Head Nordic Coach
6/11/2024 10:00 AM | Skiing
Former NCAA All-American joins Utes after directing Plain Valley Ski Club
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Ski Team and director of skiing Fredrik Landstedt announced today that Pierre Niess has joined the program as head Nordic coach. Niess, a native of Strasbourg, France, comes to Salt Lake City after eight years as the program director and head coach for the Plain Valley Nordic Team in Washington.
"We are thrilled to welcome Pierre to Utah and to our program," said Landstedt. "Pierre has done an incredible job building the Plain Valley Nordic Team into a strong junior club in Washington. I have known Pierre for over 15 years and cannot say enough about his hard-working, positive attitude. He has lifelong knowledge and experience in Nordic skiing and I'm excited about the future with Pierre taking over our Nordic team."
Niess launched the Plain Valley Nordic Team from scratch starting in 2016. Under his leadership, the program has led daily training from athletes ranging from ages 8-18. PVNT's racing lineup included the United States Junior and Senior National Championships, leading to a top-15 junior club ranking in three straight seasons. It all took place while the program developed and managed its own ski trail system, grooming and fundraising.
"I'd like to thank Fredrik Landstedt along with Mark Harlan and Charmelle Green for this incredible opportunity," said Niess. "The Utah Ski Team is an obvious landmark in the collegiate landscape and has experienced unprecedented success over the last several years. I look forward to working with the athletes and continuing to build on the championship culture in this program."
Niess was named the Pacific Northwest Ski Association Coach of the Year in 2021 and '22.
After a successful national racing career in France, Niess skied collegiately at New Mexico from 2010-12, at that point led by Landstedt as head coach. He was named an NCAA All-American and All-RMISA in 2010, before also collecting All-Academic and Mountain West Scholar-Athlete honors.
He medically retired from racing before the 2013 season, but remained with the UNM program as a student assistant coach and eventually full-time assistant through 2016. With Niess on staff, the Lobos finished third at the 2014 NCAA Championships and fifth in 2015. Niess helped Eva Severrus to a 15K freestyle individual national title in 2014 among five Nordic All-American results. The following year, Emilie Cedervaern won the women's 15K classic title.
He earned his Bachelor's degree in exercise science (manga cum laude) from New Mexico in 2014, before graduating from UNM in 2016 with a Master's in physical education.
He will be joined in Salt Lake City by his wife, Heleene, and daughter, Lumi.
Niess takes the helm of the Nordic squad following a six-year run for head Nordic coach Miles Havlick, who is moving on to pursue new opportunities outside coaching.
"I want to thank Miles for his dedication to our program," Landstedt added. "Miles showed the true meaning of 'Utah Man' both as an athlete and coach over the last decade-plus. We are all very grateful to Miles and wish him and his family all the best."
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Follow the Utah Ski Team on social media @utahskiteam.
"We are thrilled to welcome Pierre to Utah and to our program," said Landstedt. "Pierre has done an incredible job building the Plain Valley Nordic Team into a strong junior club in Washington. I have known Pierre for over 15 years and cannot say enough about his hard-working, positive attitude. He has lifelong knowledge and experience in Nordic skiing and I'm excited about the future with Pierre taking over our Nordic team."
Niess launched the Plain Valley Nordic Team from scratch starting in 2016. Under his leadership, the program has led daily training from athletes ranging from ages 8-18. PVNT's racing lineup included the United States Junior and Senior National Championships, leading to a top-15 junior club ranking in three straight seasons. It all took place while the program developed and managed its own ski trail system, grooming and fundraising.
"I'd like to thank Fredrik Landstedt along with Mark Harlan and Charmelle Green for this incredible opportunity," said Niess. "The Utah Ski Team is an obvious landmark in the collegiate landscape and has experienced unprecedented success over the last several years. I look forward to working with the athletes and continuing to build on the championship culture in this program."
Niess was named the Pacific Northwest Ski Association Coach of the Year in 2021 and '22.
After a successful national racing career in France, Niess skied collegiately at New Mexico from 2010-12, at that point led by Landstedt as head coach. He was named an NCAA All-American and All-RMISA in 2010, before also collecting All-Academic and Mountain West Scholar-Athlete honors.
He medically retired from racing before the 2013 season, but remained with the UNM program as a student assistant coach and eventually full-time assistant through 2016. With Niess on staff, the Lobos finished third at the 2014 NCAA Championships and fifth in 2015. Niess helped Eva Severrus to a 15K freestyle individual national title in 2014 among five Nordic All-American results. The following year, Emilie Cedervaern won the women's 15K classic title.
He earned his Bachelor's degree in exercise science (manga cum laude) from New Mexico in 2014, before graduating from UNM in 2016 with a Master's in physical education.
He will be joined in Salt Lake City by his wife, Heleene, and daughter, Lumi.
Niess takes the helm of the Nordic squad following a six-year run for head Nordic coach Miles Havlick, who is moving on to pursue new opportunities outside coaching.
"I want to thank Miles for his dedication to our program," Landstedt added. "Miles showed the true meaning of 'Utah Man' both as an athlete and coach over the last decade-plus. We are all very grateful to Miles and wish him and his family all the best."
Follow the Utah Ski Team
Follow the Utah Ski Team on social media @utahskiteam.
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