The coaching carousel moved slowly and steadily since the season ended, with big changes in Norway, Germany, Slovenia, Ukraine and Sweden. At the same time, Poland stood pat with their current coaches while Italy, USA and Switzerland have yet to announce their new coaching appointments.

Norway taps Oberegger and Olsbu Roeiseland

Norway was first out of the box, completing the biathlon powerhouse’s staff revamp in early April. Surprisingly, it was not a complete house cleaning. Patrik Oberegger moved from leading the women’s team since 2018 to Men’s Head Coach. Oberegger’s shooting range skills and his years collaborating with the departed Siegfreid Mazet ensure a smooth transition and solid base for the men’s squad. Anders Overby stepped into the position of physical coach, replacing Egil Kristiansen. Vetle Sjaastad Christiansen told NRK, “Patrick has the experience and mastery of shooting, while Anders brings fresh physical energy,” while adding that the athletes lobbied for Oberegger. "We did everything we could to keep him."

With the Italian moving across the aisle to the men’s team, Sverre Olsbu Roeiseland now takes the reins of the women’s team. Former German Women’s Coach Olsbu Roeiseland previously guided Norway’s IBU Cup team for several years. He will be assisted by former cross-country skier Marthe Kristoffersen.

Preparing for Oslo 2029

The new coaching staff’s task, under new Sports Director Lars Mæland is to put Norway in “the best possible position leading up to the World Championships in Oslo in 2029…and develop both teams and individual athletes over time.”

More recently, Andreas Kvam and Ronny Hafsås were announced as Recruitment (IBU Cup) coaches for the men and women, respectively.

Flunger to Germany

Germany replaced Olsbu Roeiseland as Women’s Coach with Sandra Flunger who left Switzerland after 8 years. Flunger, bringing shooting knowledge, management, and people skills to the German squad, commented, “I want to contribute my experience and develop the team with the staff and athletes. Germany has historically been one of the leading biathlon nations. Our ambition must therefore be to make the most of the existing potential.”

37-year-old Denny Andritzke will assist Flunger. Andritzke coached in the German system for the past 6 years, most recently with the women’s group in Oberhof.

Auchentaller to Slovenia

Armin Auchentaller, after 13 years in two stints with the USA is Slovenia’s new Head Coach. Auchentaller brought the USA to new heights with WCH medals by Susan Dunklee and Campbell Wright. He inherits a fairly young squad in Slovenia that also includes Jakov Fak and Anamarija Lampic. Enthusiastic about his new position and the challenges ahead, Auchentaller commented, "It's primarily a feeling. The country is close to home. I've heard many good things about this team…a solid group, and looking forward to working with the athletes, coaches, and clubs." Rok Tršan joins the Italian as assistant coach.

Kähkönen, from Italy to Sweden

Sweden filled the gap in their World Cup staff left with the retirement of Jean-Marc Chabloz by hiring Jonne Kähkönen. The Finn just wrapped up a successful 4-year run with the Italian women’s team that saw Lisa Vittozzi win the World Cup Total Score and Olympic Pursuit Gold and the team take Olympic Mixed Relay Silver. Kähkönen, with previous coaching stops in Finland and the USA on his resume will work alongside Head Coach Johannes Lukas, Shooting Coach Johan Hagstrom and Matthias Nilsson. While maintaining his home in Finland, Kähkönen will be a part of daily training in Oestersund and training camps. He commented in a press release, “I am fascinated by the Swedish system with a strong resource center in Oestersund and daily contact between coaches and athletes, which I now look forward to being a part of. It is difficult to avoid noting the great potential of the Swedish national team. I hope to contribute with my experience and help them take further steps forward.”

Semenov and Khvostenko to Lead Ukraine

Ukraine started the new quadrennial with a house-cleaning of their World Cup coaching staff. Three-time Olympian and IBU WCH Relay Silver medalist Sergii Semenov was appointed Men’s Head Coach, replacing the veteran Nadia Bilova who guided the team for the past two seasons. On the women’s side four-time IBU WCH medalist Oksana Khvostenko replaced Mykola Zots as Women’s Head Coach.

Four-year extensions for Torgersen and Velepec

Poland stood pat signing Women’s Head Coach Tobias Torgersen and Men’s Head Coach Uros Velepec to 4-year extensions through the 2030 Olympic Winter Games. The federation commented, “The decision has a strong sporting basis. Last season brought visible progress. Polish biathletes improved their rankings and achieved career-best results.”

The carousel continues spinning with several nations yet to settle on just who will lead then to the 2030 Olympic Winter Games.

Photos: IBU/Christian Manzoni, Nordnes, Nordic Focus