Christian Rufer has returned to his position as head coach of the Swiss snowboarding team ©Swiss Snowboard

Christian Rufer has returned to his position as head coach of the Swiss Alpine snowboard team after replacing Ingemar Walder.

Rufer previously headed the squad for a decade after taking the post in 2004.

He stepped-down after the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic Games.

Swiss snowboarders won a total of 14 Olympic and World Championship medals under Rufer's watch.

Five athletes all won Olympic medals: Philipp and Simon Schoch. Daniela Meuli, Patrizia Kummer and Nevin Galmarini.

Patrizia Kummer is one top athlete to have benefited from the coaching of Christian Rufer in the past ©Getty Images
Patrizia Kummer is one top athlete to have benefited from the coaching of Christian Rufer in the past ©Getty Images

“We have to lay the foundations which enable the athlete to perform well and sustainable,” Rufer said after returning to the post.

He will be focused specifically on preparations for the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics.

Former B-squad athlete David van Wijnkoop will take charge of the second-tier Europa Cup team with the goal of leading the up-and-coming talents so they can keep up with the world's best.

"With the new coaching team, we have an ideal pre-requisite for success in the coming seasons and especially want to intensify the promotion of young talent in Switzerland," added Swiss Snowboard head Sacha Giger.