Stifel US Men’s Team Head Coach

Meet Mark Tilston, the esteemed new head coach of the Stifel US Men’s Alpine Team. His notable elite coaching journey accelerated over twenty years ago as the British head men’s speed coach under the mentorship of the legendary Christian Schwaiger. That experience inspired decades of relentless professionalism and commitment to the sport’s essential details—Tilston’s collaboration and leadership skills will facilitate US success.

Originally from Glasgow, Scotland, he speaks in a pronounced Scottish dialect, but his straightforward communication and remarkable language acquisition skills have served him well throughout the decades.

From Global Success to US Ski Team Leadership

While working for four different NSAs, including Great Britain, Spain, Canada, and the USA, Tilston has experienced success at every level. Before joining the US team, Tilston spent three seasons as the head coach of the exciting, young, quickly emerging Canadian men’s team. When asked about his decision to take the Stifel US Ski Team position, he shares, “My decision to join the Stifel US Ski Team was motivated by my belief that I can assist in enhancing the US Ski Team’s development pathways. Also, working with athletes from the Continental Cup to the World Cup level is a passion I know and enjoy. And integrating exceptional human performance and sports science teams is a constantly evolving puzzle that has always motivated me. I enjoy new challenges, and this was a great opportunity.”

Acknowledging the importance of patience in a new federation, Tilston remarks, “We have big ambitions, so we’ll undoubtedly have to be strategic and purposeful. One of the biggest challenges of North American teams is geography. Team unity is instrumental to success; we live together for months during the competition season. However, when people’s homes are thousands of miles apart, it is harder to keep everyone aligned. It is a unique challenge that few countries experience and something we must consider when managing our programs.”

Tilston’s Athlete-Centric Approach

Tilston’s philosophy centers on athlete development: “We will pursue developing the person, then the athlete, then the skier and finally the ski racer.”

There is a common denominator among all the programs Tilston has influenced: “Everyone working together towards agreed upon collective goals. We need to support each other’s journey. Also, every member throughout the program will be expected to provide their best.”

As the head men’s coach, Tilston oversees the World Cup, Europa Cup and NorAm teams. He will help each group tackle their unique challenges, develop plans, and align their programs with the needs and direction of the elite teams. He will also work to ensure a system that provides smooth athlete transitions between the groups.

Concerning the staff, Tilston says, “We are very fortunate to have the continued services of our Head Men’s Tech Coach, Ian Garner. He is a vital team member with a great understanding of our sport and valuable knowledge of developing athletes to the top level.”

Reflecting on his recent decisions when filling staffing vacancies “(Burkhard Schaffer), ‘Burki’ has had significant success in various roles with multiple teams over decades. He knows the demands of the World Cup speed circuit and what athletes need to do to prepare for winning at that level. He is exactly what I was looking for.”

Regarding the promotion of NorAm Coach Graham Flinn, he adds, “He has worked well with the athletes moving through our system. Flinn also has a good working relationship with our World Cup staff. He is a great resource and ready to lead the Europa Cup team.”

Tilston states that the cornerstone of his coaching approach centers around deliberate planning and effective program delivery. This serves as his unifying expectation for all staff members.

Maximizing Resources and Athlete Development

Tilston has experienced financial limitations with all the teams he has led. Fortunately, he has earned a reputation for applying resources where they benefit the program most. His budgeting focus is to deliver the programming that athletes require to progress. He is also focused on  enhancing the staff’s ability to provide extraordinary strength and conditioning programming for each group.

However, if additional funding becomes available, he will consider hiring specific staff to support athletes transitioning between the World and Europa Cup groups. By doing so, he hopes to enhance the team’s performance by better meeting the needs of this unique group of ski team members.

Tilston discusses the most important contributions a head coach can provide: “I would define my main responsibility as leading the team and supporting the staff to ensure everyone is aligned with our targets. It is also my responsibility to ensure the movement of athletes between groups occurs in a positive, aspirational culture.” His emphasis on fostering a culture of growth and unity underscores his commitment to the athletes’ development and the team’s overall success.

In conclusion, Tilston, head coach of Stifel US Men’s Alpine Team, brings experience and expertise. His passion for athlete development and unity drives the program. All in a day’s work, he prioritizes individual growth and uniting staff while overseeing the World Cup, Europa Cup, and NorAm teams. His job includes strategic staffing and focusing on sports science while ensuring seamless athlete transitions as they move through the ranks. Tilston’s dedication and experience will ensure a bright future for the Stifel US Ski Team.