Erik Lesser has been coaching the next generation of Germany's female biathletes since May 2026. The former world-class biathlete wants to pass on his experience to future generations. The City Biathlon in Dresden this weekend is the first competition in which he will be at the shooting range as the national team coach and he caught up with Biathlonworld before the event gets underway.

Biathlonworld: Erik, your role as coach of the German women’s junior team is the next step in your career. What do you like about being a coach?

Erik Lesser: For me, there’s nothing better than a competition, and I especially enjoy supporting my athletes during those events or being with them at training camps. The position as DSV youth coach is a new responsibility. It’s different from the roles I previously held as an athlete or coach at the Oberhof Sports High School. I’m familiar with the German Ski Association and its structures, but now I can view them from a different perspective.

BW: What do you see as the challenges in working with young female athletes?

EL: I only see the athletes at training camps. Each one has her own training base and head coach. So I don’t write annual plans or oversee daily training; instead, I’m responsible for ensuring that the structures in the junior program function properly. This includes, for example, organising the training camps. When we’re on the road together, it’s important that the training meets everyone’s needs. The athletes are between 17 and 21 years old—some are still in high school, while others are already professionals. This requires a good balance so that everyone can continue to develop during the training camp.

BW: Have you had any coaches throughout your career who inspire you now?

EL: Yes, there were many people who inspired me with their personality and character. Hartmut Gollhardt had a big influence on me when I was younger. Once I turned pro, it was people like Mark Kirchner and Andreas Stitzl, among others. I often think about what I did during my career as an athlete, whether we do things differently today, and, if so, why.

BW: How would you like to be perceived as a coach?

EL: I’m convinced that top performance can only be achieved through hard work. “You can’t get something for nothing” may sound like a cliché, but it certainly holds true in competitive sports. I try to keep my personal and professional lives separate, and I want to be approachable—a coach with whom you can talk openly about any issues that are on your mind.

BW: Gen Z is often said to be unwilling to perform well and put in the effort. What has been your experience?

EL: I’ve never seen a young athlete who wasn’t up for pushing herself to the limit in training, or who shied away from an intense workout. Of course, interval workouts look easy on Instagram. It’s easy to forget that competitive sports are hard work. But I can’t confirm what’s being said about young people.

BW: Your team will be competing in the Youngster Team Challenge at the City Biathlon in Dresden. Is this a special event for young biathletes?

EL: It’s a great event for gaining experience and a good way to prepare for the German Championships, which take place a week later. For me as an athlete, the City Biathlon has always been a great opportunity to train intensively with other top athletes. I pass that on to my training group as well. While I can offer tips for the race itself, every athlete has to adapt to the situation individually and prepare mentally.

Photos: IBU I Archive