US Biathlon's Data-Driven Path to Excellence

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Benedikt, March 13 2025

During the Biathlon World Championships in Lenzerheide, Benedikt had the opportunity to meet with the US Biathlon team's staff following their initial race day. Despite their disappointment with the mixed relay results, the team demonstrated remarkable resilience, going on to secure two silver medals in subsequent races. This turnaround was attributed to various factors, including the valuable insights gained from our performance analysis system. Below, we present a testimonial from the team, highlighting how they leverage our technology to enhance their performance.

A picture of the coach giving a sensor to an athlete

US Biathlon Team Embraces Advanced Analytics

The US Biathlon Team has taken a significant leap forward in their pursuit of excellence by integrating cutting-edge performance analysis technology into their training regimen. This adoption of advanced analytics has provided the team with unprecedented insights, reshaping their approach to both training and competition.

Unlocking Performance Insights

Emil Bormetti, assistant coach of the US Biathlon Team and responsible for the Archinisis system, explains, "The continuous split feature has been a game-changer for us. We can now analyze the athletes’ speed at every meter of the course, comparing it to our best laps or even to our competitors. This level of detail is invaluable in a sport where seconds can make all the difference."

The team's coaches have found the technology particularly useful for optimizing race strategies. Head Coach Armin Auchentaller notes, "We can now identify precisely where our athletes are gaining or losing time. This allows us to tailor our training to address specific areas of improvement."

Picture discussing the race results on the laptop

Tactical Advantages on the Course

The depth of data provided by the analysis tools has enabled the US Biathlon Team to make informed decisions about race tactics and pacing strategies. One athlete told me: "I've been able to fine-tune my approach to terrain transitions. The data showed me that I was losing precious seconds at the beginning of downhill sections. Now, I focus on maintaining my speed with a couple of extra pole pushes, and it's made a real difference."

Real-World Applications

The US Biathlon Team has applied these insights in various ways:

  1. Optimizing Lap Pacing: "We've learned that starting too fast can compromise performance in later laps," says Emil Bormetti. "Now, we can test and implement data-driven pacing strategies for each course."
  2. Comparative Analysis: Coach Auchentaller adds, "We can now compare performances between our athletes and even against data from previous seasons. This helps us understand individual strengths and tailor our training accordingly."
Screenshot of the continuous-time analysis for one race Time analysis of one athlete's race performance at the 2025 Biathlon World Championships in Lenzerheide. The graph compares subsequent laps to the first lap (reference, represented by the black line). Notable time losses occur during the initial uphill sections of laps 2 and 3, indicating a potential pacing issue. The data suggests that the first lap may have been skied at an unsustainable pace, leading to increased fatigue in the following laps. This objective analysis facilitated productive discussions with the team, enabling them to refine their pacing strategy and boost confidence. The insights gained from this data contributed to the team's impressive performance in subsequent races, where they secured two silver medals.

Elevating Team Performance

The adoption of this advanced analytics technology has had a profound impact on the US Biathlon Team's overall performance. "We're seeing improvements across the board," says Auchentaller. "Our training is more targeted, our race strategies are more refined, and we're able to adapt quickly to different course conditions."

As the team continues to integrate these insights into their preparation, they're setting new standards for performance in the sport. Auchentaller concludes, "This technology has given us a competitive edge. We're not just training harder; we're training smarter. And that's making all the difference as we compete on the world stage."