German Biathlon Faces Historic Low: First Winless Season in Decades
Oslo, Norway – The 2025-2026 Biathlon World Cup season concluded on Sunday with a stark reality for the German team: a historic first – an entire season without a single victory. While Philipp Nawrath came agonizingly close with a second-place finish in the mass start at Holmenkollen, the result couldn’t erase a winter marked by underperformance and a widening gap between Germany and the sport’s current powerhouses, Norway and France.
Nawrath’s performance in Oslo offered a glimmer of hope, finishing just 3.7 seconds behind Norway’s Johan-Olav Botn. The 33-year-old Bavarian showcased his best race of the season, impressively hitting all 20 targets. “It was satisfying. To shoot so perfectly was great and gives me a good feeling,” Nawrath told ZDF after the race. “It’s great to start the off-season like this.” Despite the near miss, the season as a whole paints a concerning picture for German biathlon.
A Season of Struggles
The lack of a victory is particularly significant, marking the first time since the 1987-1988 season – when men’s and women’s competitions were combined in the World Cup – that Germany has failed to reach the top step of the podium. The team managed a meager nine podium finishes across 69 races, a far cry from their traditionally dominant performance. The only medal at a major championship came in the mixed relay at the Olympic Winter Games in Italy.
The struggles weren’t limited to a lack of wins. Sport Director Felix Bitterling acknowledged the team’s shortcomings, stating to ZDF, “We have to acknowledge that we didn’t get it done this year as we had planned.” Late-race errors repeatedly cost potential podium finishes, a pattern seen with Janina Hettich-Walz in Oslo, who despite a strong showing, faltered with two misses in the final shooting round, ultimately finishing tenth.
Preuß’s Departure and a Void in Leadership
The absence of Franziska Preuß, who retired after the Olympics, has undoubtedly left a significant void. Preuß, a former World Champion and overall World Cup winner, had secured Germany’s last mass start victory almost exactly a year prior to the season finale. Her presence was felt even in retirement, as she attended the Oslo event as a spectator, remarking to ZDF, “It’s okay to stand on the sidelines.” Lou Jeanmonnot of France ultimately claimed the overall title, a testament to the growing strength of the French biathlon program.
Jeanmonnot’s triumph underscored the shift in power dynamics within the sport. Preuß, reflecting on her own transition, expressed contentment with her decision, stating, “It was never boring. It feels really good. I realized at home that the joy of the sport had returned, which I really lost this winter. I don’t need a bib number anymore; I can just sport around every day.”
Changes on the Horizon
Looking ahead, significant changes are planned within the German biathlon leadership. Bernd Eisenbichler will return to the German Ski Association as Sport Director on May 1st, replacing Bitterling, who is moving to the International Biathlon Union (IBU). Eisenbichler will inherit a program in need of revitalization, tasked with evaluating the path forward and determining whether to continue the changes initiated by Bitterling, which focused on coach training and developing young athletes.
Further changes are coming to the women’s coaching staff. Trainers Kristian Mehringer and Sverre Olsbu Röiseland will not be returning, with Bitterling confirming that both will relinquish their responsibilities. Mehringer will take on a new role within the federation, while Röiseland will return to Norway. The search for their replacements is currently underway.
The 2025-2026 season serves as a clear wake-up call for German biathlon. Addressing the issues of consistency, shooting accuracy under pressure, and developing the next generation of stars will be crucial to restoring the program to its former glory. The coming months will be pivotal as the team analyzes the season’s shortcomings and prepares for a challenging road ahead.
The next major event on the biathlon calendar is the announcement of the coaching staff changes, expected in the coming weeks. Fans will be eagerly awaiting updates on the team’s plans for the 2026-2027 season.
What do you think needs to change for the German biathlon team to regain its competitive edge? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
