The Austrian Climbing Association will lose an important pillar in the coming months. Kilian Fischhuber, Austria's Coach of the Year 2024, is resigning from his position as national coach. The 41-year-old wants to slow down in the future and work as a teacher in a school.
"I have mixed feelings because it is a very laid-back job. It is an enormous privilege to work with this great team. For me it was always clear: all or nothing," says Fischhuber in the press release from Austria Climbing.
After several years, Fischhuber decided "not at all". The decisive factor was his family situation. The Lower Austrian, who lives in Tyrol, is now a father of two: "I've already scaled back in the last year, but in the end the travel and on-site support are exactly the cool thing about the job. To be as successful as we have been in recent years, you have to invest a lot. That's no longer possible for me."
To be as successful as we have been in recent years, you have to invest a lot. That is no longer possible for me.
Kilian Fischhuber
The coolest job in the business
After a successful career as a competitive climber including two World Championship silver medals, a European Championship title and 21 World Cup victories in bouldering, Fischhuber was presented as part of the new coaching team of the Austrian Climbing Association at the end of 2019. Over the past five years, he has been jointly responsible for major successes, including three Olympic medals through Jakob Schubert and Jessica Pilz.
It was a cool process, a nice journey together. I used to climb with Jakob, then I was able to accompany him as a trainer. That's over now. It's a shame, because there are very promising young athletes coming up right now.
Kilian Fischhuber
Another role in the association with less travel was not an option. "National coach is definitely the coolest job in the business, going to the Olympic Games is a privilege. It can't be topped. I could have been active as a coach in a different way, at a different level. But I don't think I would be happy there."
A loss both professionally and personally
Immediately after the discussion with the association, Fischhuber informed Jakob Schubert of his decision. The two-time Olympic medalist shows understanding: "Kili was an important companion for me, both as a training partner and teammate and as a coach. He was a huge support, especially in preparation for the Olympic Games; without him I would not have been able to fulfill my dream of an Olympic medal. It is certainly a loss for us, but we all understand his family situation and wish him all the best for the future."
Kili was an important companion for me, both as a training partner and teammate as well as a coach. He was a huge support, especially in preparing for the Olympic Games; without him I would not have been able to fulfill my dream of an Olympic medal.
Jakob Schubert
KVÖ managing director Heiko Wilhelm sees it similarly: "For us, it is a great loss not only professionally, but also humanly. Kili's achievements can hardly be put into words. After his successful competitive career, he has also proven in his role as a coach that he is one of the world's best and has never lost touch with reality or his feeling for the team. At the same time, we fully understand his decision and wish him all the best for the future."
For us, it is a great loss not only professionally but also humanly. Kili's achievements can hardly be put into words.
Heiko Wilhelm
school class instead of climbing hall
Fischhuber will continue to work as a KVÖ coach until the home event, the IFSC Climbing World Cup Innsbruck (23 to 29 June). He wants to work as a teacher for the new school year 2025/26. "I studied for a total of twelve years, first sports science, then English and teaching. I finished in 2014 and completed my teaching internship in 2015/16. I am now over 40 and actually a 'young teacher' with no experience in school. This will be a completely new situation for me too, I have to build myself up again first."
I'm over 40 now and actually a 'young teacher' with no experience in school. This will be a completely new situation for me too, and I'll have to build myself up again.
Kilian Fischhuber
The former world-class climber also sees his departure as an opportunity. "I have been competing internationally since 1999, from 2015 to 2019 I was a little further away, but I was basically in the business continuously for 26 years. After such a long time you are saturated, that is also a danger. Maybe a breath of fresh air is good."
Coach of the Year 2024
The award "Coach of the Year 2024", which Fischhuber received at the Lotterien Sporthilfe gala, could be seen as the perfect end to his coaching career. However, Fischhuber waves it off: "This award is only possible if the athletes are successful. It was and is a recognition for the athletes and the system - the association, the hall, the coaching team. There is no award for a coach because he is such a great checker. If a small part of the system goes away, the system remains. I picked up the award at the time, but it could have been given to other people on the team just as well." Postscript: "The trophy will stay in the KVÖ office, so not everything will change after all."
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Credits: Cover picture Austria Climbing