New German Men’s Head Coach Tobias Reiter

This season’s merry-go-round ride started unexpectedly on February 25, just days after the IBU World Championships ended. German Men’s Head Coach Uros Velepec unexpectedly resigned, calling it, “not a spontaneous decision…Overall, we are not at the level we had collectively set. I concluded a new impetus is needed…to succeed at the 2026 Olympics. The sooner the better.” 39-year-old IBU Cup Coach Tobias Reiter quickly replaced Velepec.

Reiter admitted to Chiemgau24, the move was sudden. “I went from gardening at my parents to the World Cup in Nove Mesto. I did not have much time to react.”

Over the last three World Cup weeks, Reiter presented and discussed his plan for the 2025/26, focusing on two points to bring out the best in the German men’s squad, starting behind the rifle, “We need to create more situations behind the rifle where the athletes are subjected to maximum physical and psychological stress. There will be a roughly uniform training plan for our LG1a athletes across the various bases...”

The other key component will be confidence-building, “Another important point for me is self-confidence. To be successful at this level, they have to compete with maximum conviction and determination. We need to develop this conviction over the summer with targeted measures and units.”

Ludwig Gredler, Reinhard Gösweiner and Christoph Sumann

In another move, the Austrian Federation fired Men’s Coach Vegard Bitnes, as well as team consultant Dominik Landertinger.

Long-time assistant coach Ludwig Gredler replaced Bitnes. Gredler admitted his work was cut out for him. “I'm really looking forward to this new challenge and a good collaboration with the entire team, which includes the coaches, support staff, and athletes, as well as the service team…The top priority is to reclaim the fifth starting spot in the World Cup and gradually bring some young athletes into the top 20… Now it's all about persistently pursuing a common thread to field a strong men's team again, at the latest at the 2028 Hochfilzen World Championships.”

In a parallel move Reinhard Gösweiner replaced Markus Fischer as Women’s Head Coach. Additionally, Austrian four-time Olympic medalist Christoph Sumann was hired as Biathlon Sports Director, succeeding Franz Berger. "I'm incredibly excited to actively shape my beloved sport of biathlon in the future. It will certainly be a great challenge, but I can definitely make a difference in this role.”

Luca Bormolini Leaves Czechia

On the same day Czechia revealed its National Teams, Women’s Coach Luca Bormolini resigned, citing “family reasons.”

Jakub Procházka joined Lukáš Dostál guiding the women's team. Procházka competed for Czechia as a junior, has coached in Letohrad, Canada and last year Czechia’s Junior Team.

Florian Steirer Joins Sweden Team

While these teams revamped their coaching staffs, Sweden grabbed the final carousel seat, adding a former German Women’s shooting coach Florian Steiner to an already strong staff. Steiner joins Jean-Marc Chabloz and Johan Hagström as a third set of eyes on the range. Steirer expects to bring a new perspective and ideas to the team. “I'm excited to collaborate with the Swedish coaches and share our perspectives on… shooting training. Sweden already has a strong foundation…I believe that through open dialogue and shared curiosity, we can discover new ways to grow and improve together.”

Photos: IBU/Christian Manzoni, Svenskt Skidskytte