The Norwegian coach has lifted Finnish biathlon “out of the mud”, and the sensational results in Östersund last week showed just how far the team has come. But with his success, Norway now wants him back.

He is one of the hottest candidates on the Norwegian national team’s shortlist for future staff positions.

“Erik Torneus Kulstad is on the relatively short list we will choose our next national team coaches from. He is an excellent coach, and we have been in contact with him about a possible contract. Erik naturally decides his own professional future,” said Norwegian national team manager Per-Arne Botnan to YLE after the weekend’s races in Östersund, according to Langrenn.com.

And most people understand why the Oslo native is in demand. In Östersund, the sensation Sonja Leinamo missed victory by just 0.3 seconds in the individual race. Then Suvi Minkkinen claimed her first World Cup win in the sprint. She followed up with a second place in the pursuit.

Kulstad was recruited to Finland in 2022, only 27 years old, and his results over the past seasons have been so strong that he meets the criteria even for the world’s best biathlon nations. This means Finland is in real danger of losing the head coach who has lifted the Finns “out of the mud” after the downturn that followed the retirements of Kaisa Mäkäräinen and Mari Eder.

The chairman of the Finnish Biathlon Association, Jaakko Puurula, told Yle Urheilu that Finland has also negotiated with Kulstad “in good spirit.” Financially and resource-wise, however, Finland cannot match a Norwegian offer if the powerhouse truly wants him and the interest is mutual.

Personal reasons also play a role. Kulstad and his partner live in Oslo, and they have a young child. Eline Kulstad Torneus’ employer is the Norwegian Football Federation. She is the head coach of the U17 girls’ national team, which competed in the U17 World Cup in Morocco earlier this year. A job with the Norwegian Biathlon Federation would significantly reduce Kulstad’s travel days during the busy small-children phase of life and make everyday family logistics easier. This may weigh heavily in his decision.

“The contracts of all four of our national team coaches expire this spring, as they usually do after an Olympic season. For Erik, it naturally also helps that he is Norwegian,” Botnan told YLE.

Has turned the situation around

Erik Torneus-Kulstad began as head coach of the Finnish biathlon team in 2022. He received his coaching education, in part, with the help of Ole Einar Bjørndalen in China.

He arrived in a Finland that was “not in the game” among the top nations after Mäkäräinen had left.

Now Torneus-Kulstad has suddenly turned the situation around.

It started to take off last season. Suvi Minkkinen jumped from almost nowhere to the World Cup top level and became a World Championships medalist. In addition, Minkkinen and Tero Seppälä gave Finland another reason to celebrate when they won the mixed relay in Oberhof.

The 2024/2025 season was strong overall for the team. Many athletes reached the top ten in individual races, the highest number since Mäkäräinen’s glory days. At the World Championships, Olli Hiidensalo delivered a breakthrough race and finished fourth in the individual.

Suddenly, a team that had wandered in the shadows is back in the Olympic medal conversation. Their medal chances are now almost on par with the cross-country skiing team. Finland made a perfect hire when they appointed Kulstad, who was 30 at the time.

Praises the athletes’ mentality

Kulstad says it all started in 2022 when the team learned to work together optimally. At the same time, the level gradually rose.

“We wanted to work in a way where we constantly moved forward instead of doing the same things over and over again. We wanted to challenge ourselves more, especially in race situations. That’s what the athletes have done together over the last two years,” the Norwegian coach told Helsingin Sanomat.

He does not want to exaggerate his own role but emphasizes that the development primarily comes from the athletes’ own will to improve.

“The athletes’ attitude is absolutely the most important thing. We raised the bar a little, and they stepped forward and over it. Then good things happen.”

“This showed results last season, and I believe it worked as fuel. This season, we enter the World Cup better prepared, so I’m really excited about what our athletes can achieve.”

Minkkinen is the motivator

A key motivational source in the team is Suvi Minkkinen. The 31-year-old has established herself as a stable top 10 biathlete in the World Cup, giving others confidence that they can reach the top as well.

A good example is the unknown Sonja Leinamo, who came incredibly close to a massive sensation in Östersund.

“Definitely. I think many teams have felt that the top nations are unbeatable because they are bigger and stronger, and have more support staff.”

“In recent years, we’ve seen that anyone can succeed if they do their job well. Suvi has been one of the leading examples of that. When people see that the top is reachable, it gives hope,” the coach continued.

Finland now believes in Olympic medals

After recent results, more people in Finland have recognized biathlon’s progress. The sport has long lived in the shadow of cross-country skiing, much more so than in Norway or Sweden.

But now the hope and belief in Olympic medals in Antholz/Anterselva in February is strong among the Finnish public.

“I don’t like to talk about expected results, because a millimeter here or there can be the difference between the podium and a place outside the top ten. But it’s great to be in a situation where top results are possible,” Erik Torneus-Kulstad told HS.

It may end up being just one Olympics for Finland. If the right offer comes from Botnan & Co. in Norway, it will certainly be tempting. And Siegfried Mazet has already said this is his last season with Norway. At least one coaching position will be available.

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