Matthias Ahrens

Matthias Ahrens (born 26 May 1961) is a former German biathlete, cross-country skier and current coach.

Matthias Ahrens had an active career as a German cross-country skier and biathlete between 1978 and 1984. After his active career as an athlete he became a Cross-Country Ski and Biathlon coach. He is a chartered professional coach certified at the NCCP level 5. He is also an internationally certified IFMGA Mountain Guide and ISIA level 4 certified Ski instructor. Since 2004 he is a member of Biathlon Canada's coaching staff at the National Training Centre in Canmore, Alberta . In 2005 Ahrens was awarded Biathlon Canada Coach of the Year. In 2012 Ahrens was appointed as Head coach of the Canadian National Biathlon team. With Jean-Philippe Leguellec in 2012 and Nathan Smith in 2015 the first male Canadian biathletes could win World cup races in Biathlon. Since then, the Canadian Team underwent a noticeable positive development and achieved its first ever male World Championship medal by Nathan Smith in 2015.This was topped by winning a bronze medal at the 2016 Biathlon World Championships in Oslo in the 4x7.5km men's relay with Christian Gow, Nathan Smith, Scott Gow and Brendan Green. In 2015 und 2016 Ahrens was awarded with the Petro-Canada Coaching Excellence Award.