The new biathlon national coach: “We want to strengthen team spirit”

Was returning to the World Cup team after 8 years the logical step?

That wasn't planned. But it wasn't just Andreas Zingerle who stopped, but also our racing director Fabrizio Curtaz. Klaus Höllrigl was the preferred candidate to succeed him, he also agreed and is exactly the right man for this task. Klaus then decided who would do what and he wanted me as head coach. It should be said that Klaus and I are a great team, we work perfectly together.

What is changing for you now in your training work?

Being a head coach in the World Cup is different than being in the IBU Cup, that is without question. I'm responsible for the men and women, so I was already stressed in the summer. But after initial difficulties, things are going really well now. The collaboration with coaches and athletes works well.

The A team is unusually large. Why is that?

We deliberately made the groups so large to strengthen the team spirit and give everyone the chance to show themselves. In the future, the groups will be made smaller again. Apart from the few experienced athletes, we have a very young group. The young athletes are not yet at the level we want them to be. It will take them another year or two. But we are confident that we will have a powerful team at the 2026 Olympics.

Alexander Inderst (l.) and Dorothea Wierer know each other from their early days (pictured in 2011) © L. Mahlknecht

And what does this timetable look like?

We want to build a good team spirit again over the course of the season and grow over the course of the season. When things go well in the relay, it's good for the whole team. When I think back to when I was in the World Cup with the women, we weren't that good individually, but everyone grew over the relay and was successful on their own. I hope that the experienced athletes will be well again this winter. This way they can take the pressure off the boys because they are not quite ready yet. But in a year or two they will be, because they really are athletes with great potential, it just takes patience.

“I hope that the experienced athletes will be fine again this winter. This way they can take the pressure off the boys.” Alexander Inderst

What specifically needs to be done to ensure that these talents become really good?

You have to train a lot and push them to the limit. This may not have an impact in the first year, but it will make a difference in the second or third year, I am convinced.

Is biathlon in Italy well organized from a grassroots level?

We have always done well at the Junior World Championships in recent years. That's why I think we're on the right track. You can also see that there are many participants in the Italian Cup and that interest in biathlon is growing. Many clubs and regional associations already work very professionally. When the athletes join the national team, they already have a high level. That was not the case before.

About expectations and Lukas Hofer Back to the World Cup: What do you expect from the coming season?

I expect the women to consistently make it into the top six throughout the relay. If that succeeds, then a podium place could be on the cards. We'll have to wait and see for the men, but around 6th place in the relay should be possible there too.

What do you think of Lukas Hofer's decision to train with the Swedes?

Of course he discussed this with us. Luki has trained with our system for many years and has reached a very good level. But it was certainly good for him to have new stimuli and to see something different. This is only positive for him. I'm sure we can benefit from it, but the Swedes will also benefit from him training with them. He was with us every now and then. He is our captain who the boys can look to for guidance.

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The new biathlon national coach: “We want to strengthen team spirit”

Alexander Inderst is taking on a difficult legacy. He is the successor to Andreas Zingerle as head coach of the national biathlon team. Before he and his team set off for Norway, he was available for the following interview.

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