New information: – Dramatic

– We do not wish to comment on ongoing conversations with an employee of the union.

This is what Arne Baumann, secretary general of the Norwegian Ski Association, writes in a text message to Dagbladet.

This week it became known that the national team jumping coach, Alexander Stöckl, is announcing a lawsuit against his own employer, the Ski Association. VG reported this on Monday.

Stöckl is unwanted by the jumpers after 13 years in the job, even though he has two years left on his contract.

Part of the criticism is allegedly directed at the jumpers’ experience of a lack of follow-up. Several have felt that they have not reached their potential in the ski jumping hill. In addition, reprimands must have been perceived as bullying – including in connection with mobile phone use.

Dagbladet’s new information:

The parties must be prepared to separate, but do not agree on a final package. Stöckl has reportedly also reacted strongly to the process against him. Therefore, the case may end up in court, and questions of compensation may become relevant.

– I have no comment. We handle the matter internally, says a tight-lipped Stöckl to Dagbladet.

– For a dramatic development in the relationship between Alexander Stöckl and the Norwegian Ski Association, reports the major newspaper Kronen Zeitung in Austria.

The notice of legal action has gone to Elden Advokatfirma.

– I can confirm that I am assisting the Norwegian Ski Association in this matter. But beyond that, I have no comment on the case at the present time, writes lawyer Per Ragnar Bronken in an e-mail to Dagbladet.

The e-mail has been sent with a copy to Espen Graff, head of communications and society at the Ski Association.

Dagbladet understands that it is now up to the lawyer and the Ski Association to respond to the notice from Stöckl and his LO lawyers. This can be done by opening a negotiation meeting.

It is unclear how big the gap is between the Ski Association’s severance package offer and Stöckl’s demands. But the finances of the jumpers are very strained after the absence of sponsors.

The environment has almost become hermetically sealed as a result of the ongoing conflict. On Wednesday, Dagbladet sent four questions to interim sports director, Ståle Villumstad.

Villumstad functions in the role after Clas Brede Bråthen, and here are the questions we asked:

• Is it clear when the national team will be presented?
• How will the trainer be?
• How is the search for a main sponsor going?
• What can you say about the economic situation?

A day later the answer came:

– Can’t say anything about it now, writes Villumstad in a text message.

The jumping committee’s leader, Stine Korsen, has been almost invisible all winter. It was she who went ahead with the criticism from the jumpers after a meeting during the ski flying WC in Kulm in January. The case was later taken over by Baumann.

The process caused the then sports manager Bråthen to thunder. He went on the day in March. In a text message to Dagbladet, he wrote:

– Ever since the rebuilding of Norwegian show jumping started in 2001, I have wanted to contribute to safeguarding our proud traditions as a show jumping nation. Our vision of being “the world’s most important jumping nation” would never have succeeded without our values: Respect, humility and joy.

Furthermore, Bråthen declared:

– The treatment Alexander Stöckl is subjected to by the same people to whom he has dedicated his best years as a showjumping coach, I find to be completely contrary to these values. I want to emphasize that this has happened behind my back and against my will. I hold the jumping committee and the management of the Norwegian Ski Association responsible for this.

Stöckl’s lawyers emphasize that he has not done anything that gives grounds for dismissal. Due to fewer resources than several of the competitors, Stöckl has had to devote time to administrative tasks and sponsorship work. If ties are now cut, Stöckl’s international network will disappear, as Dagbladet understands it.

This can mean even greater sponsorship challenges.

Last winter, the jumpers’ spokesperson, Johann André Forfang, stated that it was urgent to get a new coaching team in place before the WC season. For now, nothing is in place, at least officially.

The noise is causing a stir in Stöckl’s home country, Austria.

– The background for the sinister development: At the end of January, several of the Norwegian jumpers criticized the management style of Stöckl in a letter, writes Kronen Zeitung.

– From the outside, the letter was surprising. The Norwegians have celebrated many successes under the leadership of the former youth coach from Stams and appeared as a team in harmony. After the criticism became public, Stöckl did not participate in the races in Willingen and Lake Placid.

Magnus Brevig will stand out as Stöckl’s replacement as head coach.

The 40-year-old has followed the Austrian since 2011. But due to the economy, it is highly uncertain how the show jumping team will appear in the WC season 2024/2025.

Dagbladet asked Forfang for a chat a week and a half ago. He has not yet responded to our inquiry.