Head coach Zingerle: “Wierer is only human”

Dorothea Wierer's drama at the shooting range, Lisa Vittozzi's puzzling performances, Lukas Hofer's strong form and the surprising lineup without Dominik Windisch in the mixed relay - Andreas Zingerle talks about all of this in the interview SportNews .

Andreas Zingerle, a World Cup without a medal – are you disappointed?

Zingerle: “I don’t think you can say disappointed. Somehow we were always there, but that certain something was always missing. These are just things that happen in this sport. We’ve seen all winter that the others are a bit better than us.”

In the single mixed relay it looked like a medal for a long time. But then the last shooting happened Dorothea Wierer drama : How do you explain something like that?

“I think Dorothea put a lot of pressure on herself and really wanted to win a medal. Maybe she wanted too much until the end. In the last shooting she hit four targets and then suddenly braked before the last one. This threw her off her feet and resulted in many mistakes. You don't know anything like that from Dorothea because she usually spoils you with great performances on the shooting range. But then you could see that she was just human.”

Why is Wierer having a harder time this year compared to her outstanding last two seasons?

“Possibly because she always wants to win, which is logical. If things don’t go well, then the pressure will become greater and greater and they may therefore become more and more hasty.”

Andreas Zingerle, head coach of the biathletes.

Lukas Hofer is in strong form this year and is a model of consistency. All that's missing is a podium place...

“He deserved to be on the podium. Until now, there was always a little something missing. Sometimes a missed shot, sometimes a final lap in which he is no longer so fit. In addition, the standard among men is very high and the competition is huge. You always have to give 100 percent. If Lukas makes a penalty lap, he tries everything he can to make up for it. That's why it can sometimes happen that he's exhausted on the shooting range. Even though, in my opinion, he’s shooting very well this year.” “With Lisa Vittozzi, we’re also puzzling around.” Andreas Zingerle Back to the World Cup: The constellation of the mixed relay caused a stir. Instead of Dominik Windisch, the young Didier Bionaz started . What was the thinking behind that?

“The reason was that this time the men were first in line and then the women. If it had been the other way around - as in recent years - Windisch would have started as the last runner. But we decided to start with the young Bionaz. He’s been in good form lately and deserved this chance.”

Let's come to Lisa Vittozzi: things haven't been going well for her since her outstanding 2018/19 season. What's behind it?

“We’re puzzling about it too. Lisa often makes the same mistakes at the shooting range. That's why we've already had the weapon checked, but everything is fine. Maybe it’s a mental thing: she wants too much and expects too much of herself, then things like this happen.” “I hope that we can get one or two more podium places.” Andreas Zingerle Before the season, Corona was the big unknown. Did this ultimately have an impact on the World Cup competitions?

“It was a bit strange at the beginning, but we have now gotten used to the strict requirements and protocols. Sure, all the testing before and during competitions is a bit stressful. But over time we came to terms with it. So the IBU (the world biathlon federation, editor’s note) has done a good job.”

What do you hope for the final World Cup competitions?

“I hope that we can get one or two more podium places. The boys and ladies can now rest for a few days and recharge their batteries. Then we continue in Nove Mesto.”

Questions: Thomas Debelyak

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Head coach Zingerle: “Wierer is only human”

For the first time since 2012, the local biathletes returned home from a major event without a precious metal. At the World Championships on the Slovenian plateau of Pokljuka, Dorothea Wierer & Co.'s proud medal streak was broken. SportNews spoke to head coach Andreas Zingerle about it.

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