MEET THE
F O U N D E R S
OF
I S R A
Chris&Jeff
Chris Knight
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.
Jeff Fergus
Jeff Fergus (Ferg) coached Lindsey Vonn for the 3 years during the height of her career on the World Cup circuit. During Ferg’s second year working with Lindsey (2011-12) she ended the season with the highest FIS point total in the history of women’s World Cup racing. Lindsey won 26 World Cups and podiumed in 39 World Cups while Ferg was her coach. During his time with the U.S. Ski Team, Ferg was Head Coach for Lindsey (2010-2014), Assistant Coach of the women’s combi team (2013-2014), Assistant Coach of the women’s World Cup speed team (2010-2014), Head Coach of the women’s Europa Cup team (2009-2010), Assistant Coach of the women’s Europa Cup team (2007-2008), and Assistant Coach of the women’s development team (2006). Ferg’s coaching career began in Park City, where he worked with World Cup athletes, including Ted Ligety, Steve Nyman, Megan McJames, Hailey Duke, and TJ Lanning, during their development years. Before founding International Ski Racing Academy, Ferg worked at Burke Mountain Academy where he was Head FIS women’s coach and the PG Men’s coach. Ferg is a level 500 coach and has a Bachelor's of Science in Psychology.
