Swiss Chef d’Equipe Andy Kistler has announced that he wishes to resign from his position following the Olympic Games in Tokyo in August 2020. Kistler has been in charge of the Swiss jumpers for the last six years. The Swiss Equestrian Federation has already named Kistler’s successor, and it will be Michel Sorg, previous Sport Director of Jumping – and also Assistant Director of CHI Geneva – that will follow Kistler. 

At a media meeting today at CHI Geneva, Kistler officially announced his resignation as team manager at the end of August 2020 and simultaneously presented his successor. "It's time for a generation change," said a moved Andy Kistler. “The team now deserves a younger “boss”. Together with the athletes I was able to experience incredible things around the world and I am very grateful. I am now happy to travel less and have more time for my family and especially my grandchildren. With Michel Sorg, we have gotten exactly the personality that I wanted for the team as the new leader. That makes it easy for me to say goodbye.”

Kistler has had huge success with the Swiss team, helping them qualify for the Olympic Games in Rio in 2016 as well as in Tokyo next summer. Team bronze at the European Championships in 2015 and 2017 as well as individual silver and bronze at the World Equestrian Games 2018 – not to forget individual gold at the Europeans this summer, the list goes on and on. 

“For me, becoming the Swiss team manager for the jumpers is a great privilege and an honour, indeed a dream that will come true. I can't wait to begin in my role on September 1st as of next year,” Sorg commented.