Italy's biathlon boss: “Money can no longer be an excuse”

It is early afternoon, a few hours before Klaus Höllrigl's departure for Kontiolahti, where the World Cup season begins this Tuesday, when I ring the doorbell on his door. He has lived on the outskirts of Laces for a few years, surrounded by apple trees. “I live in the middle of the countryside and yet in the village. I feel comfortable here,” he says. The Technical Director of Biathlon of the Italian Winter Sports Federation, as he is officially called, leads me into the sun-drenched kitchen. “I’m glad it’s finally starting,” he admits.

This means the start of the World Cup winter and at the same time the start of a new adventure. The 42-year-old is brimming with anticipation: “I have a really good feeling. We wanted to build team spirit in the summer, raise the level of the boys and get the established athletes in top shape. I think we did that. Let’s see whether the first races prove me right.” Höllrigl was hired with the long-term goal of the 2026 Olympics, but he knows full well that in his role you will always be measured by results. With a determined look, he says: “We don’t just need success in 2026, but also on the way there.”

Höllrigl wants to close “the gap”. Dorothea Wierer (32 years old) and the currently injured Lukas Hofer (33) will take care of the latter. But there is still a big gap behind it. “We know that,” says Höllrigl, who is by no means worried about the approaching end of the two model athletes’ careers. As he takes the mocha pot from the stove and pours us hot coffee, he continues: “The advantage: We are not dependent on one talent, but have a whole series of athletes who are around 20 years old who are can make it to the top. We've never had anything like this before. Not only are they really good at sports, they also have motivation, ambition and the necessary killer instinct that you need in biathlon.”

Klaus Höllrigl is a former athlete and trainer, but first and foremost a family man. © SN

He is thinking of the three Antholzers Hannah Auchentaller, Rebecca Passler and Linda Zingerle, “who move on the same level and push each other”, but also of the two other South Tyroleans Patrick Braunhofer and David Zingerle. They should be given the time they need to prove themselves in the World Cup. “I didn’t ask Doro for her opinion before.” Klaus Höllrigl on the choice of head coach Höllrigl entrusts the task of leading these athletes upwards to the new head coach Alexander Inderst. His nomination was the first important official act of the new Biatlon boss. “I chose Alex because he is the greatest expert in this complex sport in Italy.” This decision also drove superstar Dorothea Wierer to continue, as she had linked the end of her career to the choice of the new head coach. Nevertheless, Höllrigl asserts: “I didn’t ask Doro for her opinion beforehand.” But he did know what Italy’s best biathlete of all time needed in order to continue “a few more successful years.”

Italy is no longer a biathlon dwarf Höllrigl's words seem well thought out; no half-sentences slip off his tongue. When asked about the support from above, i.e. the decision-makers in Italy's sports world, his gaze wanders through the kitchen window into the sunny garden. “I’m not allowed to complain.” After a short pause, he explains: “I mean that honestly. A lot has happened, especially financially, in the last few years. We can't make a big fuss here. But I have to say: we were able to realize all of our plans. To be honest, I don't know what we could have done differently with more money over the last few months." A lot has been invested, especially in the material, and thus created all the conditions to be able to compete with the best. “In general,” says Höllrigl, “money can no longer be an excuse.” In the past, they were far behind in terms of budget, but now Italy is no longer a biathlon dwarf.

Klaus Höllrigl (r.) with long-time and former head coach Andreas Zingerle (l.).

The Azzurri want to underline their status and their demands in Kontiolahti. For Höllrigl, the start of the season in the far north also means saying goodbye to his family. “Biathlon is my life. I already had this passion as an athlete and as a coach, it has only grown over time. At the same time, I have also learned to differentiate: One thing is sporting successes and failures, but what is really important is the family.” And the husband and father of two only sees them around 150 days a year. “The other time I’m traveling. Of course my absence is a burden on the family. My wife took on a lot of things, especially when the children were younger. I am eternally grateful to her and also to my daughters.”

When he gives these insights into family life, we are already standing in the hallway. For around an hour we talked about the sport of biathlon and topics that go far beyond that. It's time for me to say goodbye. Höllrigl, on the other hand, will enjoy the last hours with his loved ones before the plane leaves for Finland and a new phase of life begins for him.

Personal Private Klaus Höllrigl is 42 years old, comes from Goldrain and lives in Latsch. He lives there with his wife Claudia and their two daughters Johanna (9 years old) and Maria (6). Hobbies Climbing and watching football. He is a Juventus sympathizer and a die-hard Arminia Bielefeld fan. He has already crossed his fingers for the German second division team in the stadium several times. At home he regularly visits the football pitches in Latsch, Goldrain and Naturns. Job After graduating from the sports high school in Mals, Höllrigl became a biathlon professional, but ended his career at the age of 28 after two World Cup participations, several World Cup starts and an Italian championship title. He later worked as a sports teacher and then returned to the national biathlon team as a coach. Since May 2022 he has been Technical Director of Biathlon in the Italian Winter Sports Federation.

Football

Italy

International leagues

International

Winter sports

Tennis

Other sports

Motorsport

Cycling

Watersports

Events

Favorites

Italy's biathlon boss: “Money can no longer be an excuse”

Suggestions

Comments (0)