Biathlon coach Mazet praises France and takes a jab at Norway

Siegfried Mazet, head coach of the French men's biathlon team, has criticised Norway's team set-up ahead of the new World Cup season, which begins in less than a month. The World Cup is the top winter biathlon competition series. Mazet believes France is now far ahead of Norway in several decisive areas.

From Norway back to France

For ten years Mazet was head shooting coach of Norway's biathlon team, contributing to the development of stars such as Johannes Thingnes Bø, Tarjei Bø and Sturla Holm Lægreid. That chapter ended in March, and he immediately took up a post in France, where he had also worked from 2008 to 2016.

"I am extremely happy to be back in France and, above all, to return with a completely fresh perspective," he told the publication Nordic Mag. Mazet says he has matured and got to know a different biathlon culture, "neither better nor worse, simply different". He acknowledges that the team structures in the two countries differ, but says much has changed in France since 2016 and that the level of development surprised him.

The difference lies in the support staff

According to Mazet, France lagged behind Norway in some areas in 2016, but the situation has changed. He stresses that this is not about individual athletes but about expertise and the support system. The French team has a very young and curious staff with a desire to experiment, and that, he says, is the most significant difference from Norway.

He singles out physical conditioning coach Romain Hirt, describing him as dedicated, precise and systematic, with impressive knowledge of high-altitude training. "Norway also holds high-altitude training camps, but that is where it ends," Mazet said.

The support team also includes several physiotherapists and team doctor Lenek Minjolet, whom the coach calls a highly motivated and ambitious group.