When you think of iconic coaches in freestyle skiing, one name stands above the rest: Steve Desovich. The American enjoyed a successful moguls career of his own in the 1980s, highlighted by a fifth-place finish at the Calgary 1988 Olympic Games, when the event was still a demonstration sport. He later transitioned into coaching — a move that saw him shape generations of champions and lead both Canada and Australia to sustained success through the 1990s and 2000s. Desovich played a pivotal role in the rise of moguls legend Dale Begg-Smith, culminating in that unforgettable Olympic gold in Turin in 2006. In this special chat, Steve reflects on his time coaching Dale, from their very first connection through to that historic February day in Italy. It’s an insightful and revealing conversation about one of the most influential figures in Olympic freestyle skiing, and a moment that changed Australian winter sports history forever.
