As an athlete, Hermann Weinbuch won gold at world championships in the 1980s and has been training the German team in Nordic combined since 1996. But now it's over, the 62-year-old announces: The World Championships in Planica, Slovenia, will be his last.
Hermann Weinbuch will retire as national coach of the Nordic Combined at the end of this season. The 62-year-old announced this on ARD after the end of the last World Championship race in Planica, Slovenia. "I think the time has come for me to take a step back," Weinbuch said after more than two decades in office. His team had won three silver medals in Planica and thus achieved the goal announced in advance. In the final individual, Julian Schmid, who had previously been involved in all three second places, did not get past sixth place. "The future is taken care of," said Weinbuch, referring to the 23-year-old Schmid.
Norway's Jarl Magnus Riiber, meanwhile, won his fourth gold medal in Planica after a dream jump of 147 meters and a strong ski performance, ahead of compatriot Jens Luuras Oftebro and Austria's Johannes Lamparter. The 25-year-old Norwegian managed the same feat that the German Johannes Rydzek accomplished in 2017 in Lahti, Finland. With a total of eight titles, Riiber is also the record world champion in combination.
The former athlete Weinbuch had himself won gold medals at the World Championships in 1985 and 1987 and in 1996 took over the coaching position at the German Ski Association (DSV). With one short break, he has held this position for the past 27 years, during which time there have been numerous successes and medals. Every medal has its story and is incredibly fun, said Weinbuch. "I think we'll get together in the spring and find a suitable successor." The veteran had already indicated his retirement.
Olympic champion Eric Frenzel and former world champion Ronny Ackermann stood next to the long-time coach and expressly praised Bayern. "He was my national coach from the start. We experienced many, many beautiful moments. That leaves a pretty big gap," said Frenzel. Ackermann, who works as an expert in Planica, saw it that way: "Of course he leaves a gap. So much competence over so many years, it will be difficult to fill it."
