Third Level Course in Östersund

From 19 to 21 May 2025, the second week of the IBU Third Level Course—the highest tier in the IBU Academy Coach Education Program—was successfully held in Östersund, Sweden, bringing together 10 elite coaches from 10 different nations for an immersive and collaborative learning experience. This advanced course is designed to equip top-level biathlon coaches with cutting-edge knowledge and tools essential for guiding athletes at the highest levels of the sport.

Following the inaugural course week held in November 2024 in Oslo, the second chapter unfolded at the Mid Sweden University, a key academic partner of the IBU. The university’s modern facilities and its deep integration with elite winter sport research made it an ideal setting for this course.

Insightful Expert Lectures

The week’s agenda featured a series of high-impact lectures and practical workshops delivered by renowned experts from across the biathlon and sports science landscape:

• Jean-Marc Chabloz shared his expertise on Shooting Technique.

• Trond Nystad and Roger Grubben presented on Performance Optimization and Logistics, emphasizing efficiency and strategic planning for world-class results.

• Ola Ravald, a key figure in Swedish biathlon sports, conducted a session on Race Preparation.

• A collaborative session by Nystad, Torvik, and Ravald delved into Strength Training and Skiing Technique, drawing connections between conditioning and optimal skiing mechanics.

• Andreas Karström addressed Monitoring and Testing, introducing advanced methods to track athlete development and inform data-driven coaching decisions.

Two thought-provoking panel discussions with Ola Ravald, Uros Velepec, Roger Grubben, and Jean-Marc Chabloz further enriched the program:

• The first centered on Leadership in Coaching, encouraging reflective dialogue on how to effectively lead diverse teams and athletes.

• The second discussion explored the Nuances of Race Preparation, giving participants the opportunity to compare methodologies and share best practices from their respective national programs.