David Zobel openly reflects on his rollercoaster season. The biathlete talks about tears, thoughts of resignation, and criticism of the coach.
David Zobel spoke remarkably openly about his difficult season in the biathlon podcast series “Extrarunde”. After a strong summer training, Zobel qualified for the World Cup start in Kontiolahti. Two weak performances in the individual races were enough – Zobel was dropped from the World Cup team.
“I shot well all summer, but it didn’t work out in Kontiolahti. The fact that I was immediately sorted out and didn’t get another chance was, in my opinion, the wrong decision. I also communicated this internally,” he explained.
“Cried more than ever before”
He made it impressively clear how much the coaching team’s decision affected him: The train ride home became an emotional low point for Zobel. “I cried more than ever before. I was mentally completely at rock bottom and closer to throwing everything away than ever before.”
Instead, Zobel fought his way back – supported by his environment and a mental coach. Via the IBU Cup and good results at the European Championships in Martell, where he won relay silver, he worked his way back into the World Cup team. Even though he didn’t quite mix at the front at the World Championships in Lenzerheide with 28th place, he was able to stabilize himself. “Of course I wasn’t good and I’m not satisfied with my winter,” he criticized himself.
Zobel is now consistently looking ahead: His big goal is the Olympics. In particular, the commitment of the new men’s national coach Tobias Reiter gives him tailwind. “He has always been a mental support for me and really wants to make us better. You can feel that.” The tough competition remains, but Zobel is determined: He wants to attack next winter.