The Austrian Ski Federation (ÖSV) has appointed ANDREAS PUELACHER "as its new head coach of the men's Alpine team." The 49-year-old, who "worked as an advisor on the ÖSV's training group for giant slalom and combined," replaces MATHIAS BERTHOLD, "who decided not to extend his contract with the federation." The federation also hired HEINZ KUTTIN "as its new men's ski jumping head coach." The 43-year-old replaces ALEXANDER POINTNER. In addition, the ÖSV announced that REINHARD GÖSWEINER "will become the new head coach of its women's and men's biathlon teams." Gösweiner, who "coached the men's biathlon team from '08-12," replaces REMO KRUG, "whose contract was not renewed" (KURIER, 4/11). ... The German Ski Federation (DSV) "has decided to end its collaboration with women's Alpine team head coach" THOMAS STAUFFER. DSV Alpine Dir WOLFGANG MAIER "confirmed that the federation will not extend Stauffer's expiring contract" (KURIER, 4/10). ... Test cricket captain MICHAEL CLARKE was "involved in throwing out the first pitch at a Major League Baseball game." Clarke "didn't actually throw out the pitch himself." Instead, it was his wife KYLY who pitched at the St. Louis Cardinals' game against the Chicago Cubs at Busch
Stadium on Saturday, "with Clarke serving as catcher" (AAP, 4/13). ... HAKAN SUKUR's nameplate in the Istanbul stadium named after him -- Sancaktepe Hakan Sukur Stadium -- "has been removed by municipal workers after he resigned from Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP)" (INSIDE WORLD FOOTBALL, 4/11). ... One of the first off-field casualties of Australian Football League side Carlton’s "rapid decline" is expected to be club CEO GREG SWANN. With the Blues’ administration starting the year with an internal expectation the club was a top-four candidate, "influential Carlton figures are calling for blood and are working behind the scenes for change as the finals now appear out of reach" (THE AUSTRALIAN, 4/14).
