German Cross-Country Ski Team Parts Ways With Head Coach Peter Schlickenrieder

By Daniel Richardson, Editor-in-Chief of Archysport

The German Ski Association (Deutscher Skiverband, DSV) has announced a coaching change at the helm of its cross-country skiing program, replacing head coach Peter Schlickenrieder with a new leadership structure ahead of the 2026/27 season. The decision, confirmed by the DSV on April 25, 2026, marks the end of Schlickenrieder’s four-year tenure with the national team.

What Happened

In an official statement released on the DSV’s website, the federation confirmed that Peter Schlickenrieder will no longer serve as the head coach of the German cross-country skiing team. The announcement came without a formal press conference, though the DSV indicated that a restructuring of the coaching staff was necessary to “realign the team’s strategic direction and performance goals.”

The DSV did not provide specific reasons for Schlickenrieder’s departure, but the move follows a mixed performance by the German team during the 2025/26 World Cup season. While individual athletes like Katharina Hennig and Friedrich Moch delivered podium finishes, the team struggled to maintain consistency in relay events and failed to secure a medal at the 2026 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Trondheim, Norway. Germany’s best result at the championships was a fourth-place finish in the women’s team sprint, narrowly missing the podium.

Schlickenrieder, a former Olympic silver medalist in the sprint at the 2002 Salt Lake City Games, took over as head coach in 2022 after serving as an assistant coach for the German team. His tenure included notable successes, such as guiding Hennig to a gold medal in the 10 km classic at the 2023 World Championships in Planica, Slovenia. However, the team’s overall performance in recent seasons fell short of expectations, particularly in men’s events, where Germany has not produced a World Cup podium finisher since 2021.

Who’s Taking Over?

The DSV has opted for a dual-coaching approach to replace Schlickenrieder. The federation announced that Thomas Dreßen, the former World Cup alpine skiing champion, will join the cross-country program as a co-coach for speed and technique development. Dreßen, who retired from competitive alpine skiing in January 2024, has been working as a coach for the DSV’s alpine speed team since 2025, focusing on developing young talent in downhill and super-G disciplines.

Dreßen’s appointment is seen as a strategic move to bring fresh expertise to the cross-country team, particularly in speed events. The 32-year-old German, who won five World Cup downhill races during his career, including the legendary Hahnenkamm race in Kitzbühel in 2018, has no prior experience in cross-country skiing but has expressed enthusiasm for the new challenge. In a statement posted on his Instagram account, Dreßen wrote, “I’m excited to bring my passion for speed and technique to a new discipline. Cross-country skiing is the foundation of winter sport, and I’m eager to learn and contribute to the team’s success.”

Joining Dreßen as co-head coach is Jochen Behle, a veteran of German cross-country skiing who previously served as head coach from 2006 to 2014. Behle, who led Germany to multiple Olympic and World Championship medals during his first tenure, returns to the role after spending the last decade working with the Swiss national team. His appointment is widely viewed as a stabilizing force for the program, given his deep experience and familiarity with the German system.

The DSV emphasized that the dual-coaching model is designed to leverage the strengths of both coaches: Behle’s tactical expertise and Dreßen’s focus on speed and athlete development. “We believe this combination will create a dynamic and innovative environment for our athletes,” said DSV sports director Dirk Schimmelpfennig in the federation’s statement. “Jochen brings decades of experience, while Thomas offers a fresh perspective and a proven track record in high-performance coaching.”

What This Means for the German Team

The coaching change comes at a critical time for German cross-country skiing. The team has struggled to keep pace with traditional powerhouses like Norway, Sweden, and Finland, particularly in men’s events. While Germany has produced standout individual athletes—such as Hennig, who won the 2023/24 World Cup overall title in the women’s distance category—the team has lacked depth and consistency in relay and team sprint events.

The DSV’s decision to bring in Dreßen, an outsider to cross-country skiing, has drawn mixed reactions from athletes and fans. Some view his appointment as a bold move that could inject new energy into the program, while others question whether an alpine specialist can effectively transition to a discipline with vastly different technical demands. Dreßen, however, has spent the past year immersing himself in cross-country skiing, including a well-documented trip to Norway in February 2026, where he explored the sport’s roots and trained with local athletes.

For the athletes, the coaching change brings both uncertainty and opportunity. Katharina Hennig, the team’s most decorated active skier, told reporters, “Change is always challenging, but I trust the DSV’s decision. Jochen knows what it takes to win, and Thomas brings a new perspective. I’m excited to see how this plays out.”

The restructuring also raises questions about the team’s long-term goals. With the 2026/27 World Cup season set to begin in late November, the new coaching staff will have limited time to implement their vision before the first races. The DSV has set a target of returning to the podium in relay events and improving the performance of the men’s team, which has not won a World Cup race since 2020.

Key Challenges Ahead

The new coaching duo faces several immediate challenges:

• Rebuilding the Men’s Team: Germany’s men’s cross-country team has been in decline for nearly a decade. The last German man to win a World Cup race was Tim Tscharnke in 2014, and the team has struggled to develop young talent. Behle and Dreßen will need to identify and nurture emerging skiers to restore competitiveness.
• Relay Consistency: Germany’s relay teams have been plagued by inconsistency, often faltering in the final legs of races. The new coaches will need to address tactical execution and team dynamics to improve performance in these high-stakes events.
• Adapting to New Rules: The International Ski Federation (FIS) introduced several rule changes for the 2026/27 season, including adjustments to the start order in mass-start races and new qualification standards for World Cup events. The coaching staff will need to quickly adapt to these changes to maximize the team’s chances.
• Managing Expectations: With the 2027 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships set to take place in Oberstdorf, Germany, the pressure will be on the new coaching staff to deliver results on home snow. The DSV has made it clear that podium finishes at the championships are a priority.

What’s Next

The German cross-country team will hold a training camp in Ramsau, Austria, in early May to begin preparations for the 2026/27 season. The camp will serve as the first opportunity for the new coaching staff to perform with the athletes and implement their training philosophy. The team’s first competitive test will come at the FIS Roller Ski World Cup in July, followed by the traditional on-snow training period in the Southern Hemisphere in August and September.

The 2026/27 World Cup season kicks off on November 29, 2026, in Rukatunturi, Finland, with a classic sprint event. The first major test for the new coaching staff will likely come at the Tour de Ski, the sport’s most prestigious stage race, which begins on December 30, 2026, in Val Müstair, Switzerland.

Key Takeaways

• Peter Schlickenrieder is out: The former Olympic silver medalist and head coach of the German cross-country team since 2022 has been replaced as part of a broader restructuring by the DSV.
• Dual-coaching approach: The DSV has appointed Jochen Behle, a veteran of German cross-country skiing, and Thomas Dreßen, a former World Cup alpine skiing champion, as co-head coaches.
• Focus on speed and development: Dreßen’s role will emphasize speed and technique, while Behle will bring tactical expertise and experience to the team.
• Challenges ahead: The new coaching staff must address the decline of the men’s team, improve relay consistency, and adapt to new FIS rules ahead of the 2026/27 season.
• Home championships looming: The 2027 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Oberstdorf will be a critical test for the restructured team.

How to Follow

For official updates on the German cross-country skiing team, follow the Deutscher Skiverband (DSV) website and their social media channels. Fans can also track the team’s progress during the 2026/27 World Cup season on the FIS website, which provides live results, standings, and race analysis.

What do you think of the DSV’s decision to bring in Thomas Dreßen as a co-coach? Will his alpine skiing background translate to success in cross-country? Share your thoughts in the comments below and don’t forget to follow Archysport for more updates on the world of winter sports.