analysis
Jens Filbrich is a former cross-country skier and has been running coach for the German biathletes since this season. What initially caused surprise seems to be working. With him, the German ski hunters are once again among the absolute best in the world.
Many scientific texts are based on a thesis. Don’t worry, this isn’t going to be a scientific paper. Nevertheless, this article begins with a thesis. It is: “Jens Filbrich has made the German biathlon men better.” Small spoiler – there are some indicators that support this thesis.
“Hopefully this isn’t a dream”
The rain is pounding relentlessly on the roof of the press center in the biathlon stadium in Oberhof. A crowd of people has formed in the warm and dry. Cameras and microphones are aimed at Jens Filbrich, assistant coach of the German biathlon men. The sporting director Felix Bitterling sits next to him. Filbrich, whom everyone at the German Ski Association affectionately calls “Fips,” patiently answers journalists’ questions.
“The first trimester was really very enjoyable for the team”says the Thuringian. “I had to pinch myself after the individual in Östersund with first and second place. Then I said: ‘I hope this isn’t a dream’.” It wasn’t. And so to the first indicator that suggests that Filbrich has made the German biathlon men better: the results.
Team adopts the new direction
Filbrich took over the position of assistant coach of the men’s team after the resignation of long-time national coach Mark Kirchner at the end of last winter. After the first trimester with three World Cups, there are six individual podium finishes – that’s one more than in the entire last season.
“I was very well received”says Filbrich about his first months in the team. “You immediately noticed when we took a new direction together that something was created. Over the summer months – but also at the start of winter.”
Detailed work when running brings biathletes forward
The 44-year-old Filbrich comes from cross-country skiing – as an athlete, the Thuringian won silver and bronze at the Olympics, as well as seven World Cup medals. After retiring from his career in 2014, he initially completed training as a cross-country skiing coach – three years ago he switched from cross-country skiing to biathlon within the DSV. This promotion initially caused some surprise.
There is a trite but no less true phrase in biathlon: “Biathletes are made in the summer.” And this past summer was different for the German men’s team – and that also has to do with Jens Filbrich. At least that’s what his protégés report. “He especially gave me technical things”says Philipp Nawrath, sprint winner from Östersund, referring to running.
“It was about a more concise footprint and about detaching myself from the skis more quickly. Or when I get to the phase where I’m exhausted, just moving more frequently and faster. You prepare for things like that in the long term in the summer.” Filbrich can empathize very well with this because of his past as a cross-country skier, adds Nawrath.
The Germans are following suit
“A major part of his work was actually at the end of March or beginning of April,” Philipp Horn looks back. Like Filbrich, the 29-year-old has his training center in Oberhof, so both are in daily contact. “Fips invested a lot of time analyzing our training data and seeing where we still have reserves.” Apparently he found this. “He fits into the team as a person”adds Horn. “I think it’s good when someone takes me with them. And especially on days when the weather is bad or you’re not feeling that way. Then he stands there and says: ‘Come on, today we’re going to really step on the gas!’ He does it with such energy.”
The way his colleagues comment on him is another indicator of Filbrich’s significant contribution to the German men’s success this season. And: There were not only essential changes in the summer, the support at the World Cups also received new facets with Filbrich. “I think it’s really the first time in the World Cup team that someone walks the routes with the athletes and says before the competition: ‘So you have to stay calm here.’ Or, ‘Here’s the part where you have to attack!’ Someone who simply walks the route with the boys.” And that was, among other things, the idea behind Filbrich’s promotion to assistant coach of the German biathletes, explains sports director Bitterling. Someone should be primarily concerned with running – the idea seems to be working.
The beginning of a long journey
Now the German biathletes have to show that they can compete for podium places in the long term. And so the thesis is: “Jens Filbrich has made the German biathletes better” cannot (yet) be definitively verified. His ski hunters can collect further arguments at the home World Cup in Oberhof – the place of great disappointment at the home World Cup last February. At that time, the German men remained without a medal. No matter how things turn out in the coming days: “I said a few weeks ago that this is the beginning of a long journey”says Jens Filbrich. “And it will be successful. If you broadcast that as a coach, then the athletes will follow suit.” So far it’s working brilliantly.