Germany’s new biathlon head coach Sandra Flunger relies on “clear rules” in her work with the DSV team.
Flunger and her assistant Denny Andritzke will succeed Kristian Mehringer and Sverre Olsbu Røiseland in the German biathlon women’s competition.
“We ran into each other in Oberhof a few years ago and spoke briefly. But we really got to know each other in April to discuss the framework for our collaboration and the training structure,” revealed Flunger in an interview with the portal “xc-ski.de” about her assistant coach.
Andritzke will be “at the base in Oberhof and I will be in Ruhpolding, where I am often in contact with Andreas Stitzl, who is in charge of course group 1b there. Overall, our goal is to connect the various training groups and also the athletes who do not train at the bases more closely than was the case in previous years,” said the 44-year-old about the distribution of tasks in the German biathlon team.
“Hunter role” for biathlon trainer “an advantage”
Flunger most recently coached Switzerland. “I am ambitious and always have an open ear for my athletes. In my opinion, good cooperation requires clear rules that everyone adheres to, but also good communication. Interpersonal relationships are important to me,” said the Austrian, describing her leadership style.
The expectations in German biathlon are traditionally high.
“From my point of view, it is an advantage that we are in the role of hunters and not the hunted. It is normal that not every athlete can perform at their best every day, but if we work well together as a team, then it should be possible for one or two to always be at the forefront,” Flunger looked hopefully towards the DSV future.