June 14, 2007
University of New Mexico Director of Athletics Paul Krebs announced today that Fredrik Landstedt will become the second head coach of the UNM Ski Team, following the retirement of current head coach George Brooks on June 1, 2007. Landstedt recently completed his 10th season as the Lobos’ head Nordic coach under Brooks.
“When we started looking for someone to replace George Brooks, Fredrik Landstedt was the easy choice,” stated UNM Director of Athletics Paul Krebs. “He has been an integral part of our ski team for the last 10 years and is a graduate of the University of New Mexico. He brings continuity to one of the top ski teams in the country and we are confident he can continue the success UNM has enjoyed in skiing under coach Brooks.”
Fredrik Landstedt finished his 10th season as the Nordic coach with the Lobos in 2007. Last season, Landstedt helped the Lobos place sixth overall at the NCAA Championships, guiding the Nordic team to a sixth place finish in cross country events. During his tenure at UNM he has coached 18 Lobos to 30 All-American awards, two individual national championships and four team national titles. Landstedt also served as the President of the Rocky Mountain Intercollegiate Ski Association for the past six seasons.
“The Univeristy of New Mexico administration has made an exceptionally good decision in hiring Fredrik as our new head ski coach,” stated Brooks who announced his retirement prior to the start of the 2007 season after 37 years as the Lobo Ski Coach. “He brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and a winning philosophy that has made him the top assistant in the country over the last ten years. Many other programs have wanted him over the years, but I am glad to see that the Lobos will be able to retain him. The future of Lobo skiing is in the best possible hands.”
Prior to coming to UNM, Landstedt coached at the University of Colorado for three years where he won an NCAA national championship in 1995. Before moving to Colorado he coached the West Valley High School ski team in Fairbanks, Alaska, to two state team titles. Landstedt also served as an assistant coach in New Mexico prior to his move to Alaska.
During his skiing days, Landstedt was a top national skier and placed in the top-10 in the U.S. National Championships eight times between 1991-93. Landstedt was one of the top collegiate skiers in the nation while competing at the University of New Mexico, earning All-American status after he finished fourth in the NCAA Championships in 1987. As a young ski racer in Sweden, Landstedt took three medals in the Swedish Junior Championships and finished in the top-20 in many national competitions as a senior racer.
Originally from Solleftea, Sweden, Landstedt graduated from the University of New Mexico with a bachelor’s degree in Economics in 1991 and an associate degree in Accounting/Bookkeeping in 1989. Landstedt represented the U.S. Ski Team as a coach during the 2006 World Junior Championships and the U-23 World Championships. Landstedt serves as the NCAA Skiing Secretary and rules editor. Landstedt and his wife, Brenda, have three sons, Gabriel (11), Adrian (9) and Andreas (6), and a daughter, Zara (3 months).