The new coaching team behind Italy's biathlon success

As the new head coach, Alexander Inderst took over the difficult legacy of Andreas Zingerle in the summer, who shaped this sport in this country like no one else before him. Inderst is 44 years old, comes from Ridnaun and is married to the former world-class biathlete Karin Oberhofer. He used to be a biathlete himself, but didn't make it to the top international level. The Wipptaler has been working in various positions in the Azzurri coaching team for several years, most recently, for example, he was head coach in the IBU Cup.

Italy's sports director Klaus Höllrigl installed a new coaching team when he took office in the summer. The men's shooting coach, Fabio Cianciana, like Inderst, most recently worked in the IBU Cup. The women's shooting coach, Jonne Kähkönen, worked in the USA for eight years before coaching the Finnish biathletes for the last four years. “I am very satisfied with the work of the trainers. I was aware that they had quality. The fact that they work so well together now is certainly the key,” her boss Klaus Höllrigl told SportNews on Wednesday . “The fact that they work so well together is key.” Sports director Klaus Höllrigl about the coaching team Many experts particularly praise Kähkönen's work. Höllrigl knows the Finn’s qualities well: “Jonne has been in the World Cup since 2006. He has seen a lot and worked with many trainers. We all come from the Italian school. He often sees the problems from a different perspective and therefore has different suggestions for solutions. That’s good for us.” The head coach praises the development After eleven podium finishes so far this season, head coach Inderst praised us in an interview SportNews the development of his protégés. "We are more than satisfied. The entire team took a step forward in terms of running. Especially the boys.” According to Inderst, Dorothea Wierer has also “somewhat surprisingly” taken a step forward on the cross-country ski trail: “So she can fight for the podium in almost every race again this year.”

Lisa Vittozzi also made a few changes to the rifle. © ANSA / ANNA SZILAGYI

And where did Lisa Vittozzi's coaching team apply the leverage? “We did a lot of analysis and tried to understand what the problem was. We made a few modifications to the rifle. There was also a new environment. I think it’s a combination of several things that things are working again now,” said Inderst about the in-form Vittozzi.

The boys are coming Of the young South Tyrolean athletes, Patrick Braunhofer and Rebecca Passler, for example, were able to establish themselves in the World Cup this year. “Our goal is to have a strong team in 2026. We have many good young athletes who have already performed well in the World Cup. We are very confident that we will have a powerful team at the Olympics,” explained Inderst. “Our goal is to have a strong team in 2026.” Alexander Inderst Inderst went into more detail about the development of Passler and Hannah Auchentaller, both of whom are only 21 years old. “Rebecca did a great job this year. Two podium places in the relays, where she showed a strong performance in each case. There was also a 17th place in the sprint. We are super happy with her. Hannah has a few more ups and downs. But she is also someone who has great prerequisites to cause a sensation in 2026 or to run consistently in the World Cup in the coming years.” Auchentaller recently recommended himself for the World Cup in Antholz with a victory in the IBU Cup.

Rebecca Passler (far right) is gaining important experience alongside Doro Wierer this year. © Getty Images Europe / Alexander Hassenstein

And what does the head coach finally say about whiz kid Tommaso Giacomel? “He is always consistently at the forefront. At some point the podium knot will burst. But that's not so important for us. It is important that the direction in which he is working is correct. Consistency is more important than a podium finish at the moment. It will come on its own.”

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The new coaching team behind Italy's biathlon success

Italy's biathletes are riding a wave of success this season. The Azzurri's new coaching team also played a large part in this. We spoke to the South Tyrolean head coach Alexander Inderst about the season so far and the development of his protégés.

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