Bernd Eisenbichler Named High Performance Director for US Biathlon

Sun, Apr  8, 2007 - By US Biathlon Team

New Gloucester, ME, April 4. Bernd Eisenbichler (Munich, GER) has been named High Performance Director for the US Biathlon Association.

As High Performance Director, Eisenbichler will be responsible for the implementation of the National Team program, while improving the level of organization, professionalism, and success in the Europa Cup, Junior, and Development programs. He commented, “I want to see all of our competitive programs operating under the same philosophy of success that the new staff has instituted for the National Team program. At the same time, we will continue to add more specialist consultants to our support staff, like nutritionist Robert Gorgos and sports medicine specialist Dr. Andreas Kreutz, who began working with the National Team during the past season.”

Eisenbichler brings an extensive background in biathlon and Nordic sports to his position. He became the Head Ski Technician for the US Biathlon Team in 1999 and is recognized as one of the best and most respected in the sport. Since that time, US biathletes such as Jay Hakkinen, Tim Burke, Rachel Steer, and Jeremy Teela have benefited from his expertise while posting some of the best international results in US history. Besides the US team, he also is the personal wax technician for World and Olympic champions Ricco Gross and Kati Wilhelm. Prior to working in biathlon, the 31-year-old Eisenbichler was German cross-country champion at the kids, youth and junior levels and competed internationally for the German military and in ski-touring. He graduated from the University of Munich in 2003, with an education degree, specializing in history and German.

Eisenbichler will continue his duties as Head Ski Technician, which will keep him in close contact with the athletes and coaching staff, while monitoring performances. “My goals as High Performance Director include seeing all four of our men in the top 15 at World Cups, as well as winning both an individual and relay medal at the Vancouver Olympic Winter Games in 2010.”

In his first days on the job this week, Eisenbichler and US Biathlon Executive Director Max Cobb met with US Olympic Committee staff in Colorado Springs, evaluating US Biathlon’s progress this year and exploring further opportunities for cooperation between the USBA and the USOC. Discussing Eisenbichler’s new position, Cobb remarked, “With Bernd moving into this position, our full-time staff is now complete. This caps what has been a remarkable and productive transition year for the Association, and puts us on a course for success in Vancouver.”

The United States Biathlon Association is the National Governing Body for the sport of Biathlon in the United States, as recognized by the United States Olympic Committee and the International Biathlon Union. The US Biathlon Association supports the US Biathlon Team and development of the sport on all levels within the United States.

TD Banknorth is the title sponsor of the US Biathlon Team. Lapua, adidas®, the Hilton Family of Hotels and Exel Ski Poles are supporting sponsors of the US Biathlon Team.