LITskiracing Academy Owner Chris Knight

Owner and Head Coach

Over the course of his career, Chris Knight (CK) has been highly successful coaching World Cup and Olympic skiers. He coached Lindsey Vonn for 3 seasons (2015 -2018) during which she became the best female alpine skier in history and the first female athlete to win 20 crystal globes. She also accumulated 15 World Cup wins, 24 World Cup podiums, and a bronze medal in downhill at the 2018 Olympics.

While coaching on the U.S Ski Team, CK worked privately with both Lindsey Vonn (2015-2018) and Julia Mancuso (2006-2012). He also held various positions with the team, including Head Coach of the women’s combi team (2013-2014), Assistant Coach of the women’s speed team (2009-2012, 2014), Head Coach of the women’s tech team (2006-2008), and Assistant Coach of the women’s tech team (2003-2005). Prior to joining the U.S. Ski Team in 2003, CK coached Great Britain's Chemmy Alcott and Australia's Zali Steggall. While coaching Steggall, she won an Olympic slalom bronze medal in 1998 and a World Champs gold medal in slalom in 1999. CK is a level 500 coach and has a Masters Degree in Sports Science.

Maruša Ferk Saioni

Team Manager

Marusa has been working together with Owner Chris Knight for 3 years, 2 as an athlete and last year as team manager. Marusa will become a Mum in September so will spend a lot more time organising LITskiracing camps, training, races and sponsors.

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Coach Valentina Dietre

Junior FIS Coach

Valentina is our Italian connection to LITskiracing and an invaluable member of the team. Highly qualified as a ski teacher, trainer and technical delegate Valentina has an exceptional knowledge and connection to our home base, Val di Fassa.

This will be Valentina's 3rd year working together with Chris Knight in the team.

Coach Igor Zagernik

FIS/EC Coach

Igor Zagernik is coming from Slovenia. He is ex-ski racer, racing at FIS and EC level. After retiring from ski racing in 1998, he began his career in coaching. Prior to joining LIT, Igor coached FIS, EC and WC women teams in Slovenia and Russia.

In Slovenian team he was head EC women coach for several years and assistant WC coach participating in PyeongChang Olympic Games in 2018.

This will be Igor's 2nd year working together with Chris Knight in the team.

Patrick Bastiani

Junior Coach

Patrick is Italian. He was racing at FIS level and finished his active career as an athlete in 2018. He is a ski instructor level II since 2018 and was working as a ski coach for U16 in Ski Team Paganella from 2019 - 2023. He has also experiences with ski preparation (2020-2023). This will be Patrick's first year with our academy as a ski coach.