Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold at the Biathlon World Championships in Lenzerheide. © ANSA / GIAN EHRENZELLER

Tandrevold against the vicious circle – with South Tyrolean help

Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold recently came into focus at the Biathlon World Championships in Lenzerheide due to a hate message. South Tyrolean Patrick Oberegger, who has been the head coach of the Norwegian women since 2018, reacts to this incident - and gives an insight into the unfortunate course of the season so far.

17. February 2025

From the Biathlon Arena in Lenzerheide

Sometimes you have to go the extra mile. A sentence that many people know from school or work life - and may have rolled their eyes at it. But sometimes this extra effort does work wonders. And Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold is hoping for one. As the shooting range in Lenzerheide gradually emptied and the majority of the athletes were already making their way home with their bags on their backs, the Norwegian was far from thinking about stopping. One round followed the other, her bullets found their target quickly and precisely. At her side during this session, as always - head coach Patrick Oberegger.

When the four-time world champion had finally had enough, Tandrevold and Oberegger had a detailed and intense conversation. From a few meters away, one could only guess what the conversation was about, as the two were speaking in Norwegian. Afterwards, Oberegger clarified the matter in an interview with SportNews However, it does not stop there. "If you sleep on it overnight, you may see certain things a little differently than you analyzed the day before or experienced them yourself," said the South Tyrolean. Videos, shot images, minor adjustments - the everyday work. "You try to finish the previous day and use the energy to prepare for the next race."

Hatred against Tandrevold: “Then things like this happen”

Nevertheless, you can't help but feel that Tandrevold isn't doing special units these days without reason - be it for sporting or mental reasons. She had a terrible day at the start of the mixed relay, missing out on a medal for Norway because of her two penalty laps. Afterwards, Tandrevold shed a few tears and came into focus because of a hate message on social media in which she was horribly insulted.

Patrick Oberegger has been the head coach of the Norwegian women since 2018. © dl

"I'm not on social media and I always say: If someone shares their life with the public, you have to be prepared for such incidents," Oberegger said in response to the incident. "Some people are now placing bets on our sport and making money from it. And I suspect that someone bet money on a medal or something - and then nothing came of it. That's when things like that happen." In such situations, the right perspective is ultimately required. "The people who are close to you are important. It's just the way it is."

Tandrevold wants to get out of the vicious circle

But even before the World Championships in Lenzerheide, things were anything but going according to plan for Tandrevold. Heart problems stood in the way of the Norwegian, who won the small crystal globe in the sprint last season, for a long time. Returning to the top is proving extremely difficult. "We had to put training first. As a result, we were always one step too late this winter," said Oberegger. "But I am sure that our efforts will pay off."

Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold in action. © ANSA / GIAN EHRENZELLER

After the setbacks at the beginning of the season, last winter's overall World Cup third-place finisher had to reformulate her goals. She is now on the right track. "I think she is in good shape, but she simply lacks the races and competitive toughness. That was also evident in the first two competitions," Oberegger explained. "But the World Championships and the season are still long, so we are not giving up."

Oberegger: “This is our job”

Oberegger, who despite being the head coach of the Norwegians still has his base in Antholz, then highlighted the mental component. "In the end, it's about mastering your life. Just as other people have a family and have to deal with challenges, there are similar situations for athletes - just in different areas," he explained. "This is our job and now we have had a tough day, just like many people outside of sport."

In view of these challenges, some of the Norwegian ski hunters also resort to mental trainers - including Tandrevold. "Everyone has to decide for themselves. But it's not just about sport, it's also about private matters. Just like it is with 'normal' people when things in life aren't going well," says Oberegger. "Sometimes it helps to talk to people who don't come from sport and who have a different perspective and a bit of distance."