Lisa Vittozzi's World Cup star should shine brightly in Nove Mesto. © Pentaphoto/Trovati

“Medal is the goal”: These are Italy’s World Cup hopes

The Biathlon World Championships are just around the corner! Italy's ski hunters have been fine-tuning themselves in Antholz over the past few days. Two of them are considered hot medal candidates in the Czech Republic. SportNews spoke to them.

03. February 2024

From Antholz

On Sunday the Azzurri will depart for Nove Mesto. Before we start packing our bags, head coach Alexander Inderst, the South Tyrolean World Cup starters Dorothea Wierer, Rebecca Passler, Lukas Hofer and Patrick Braunhofer, as well as Italy's great hopes Lisa Vittozzi and Tommaso Giacomel took a look at the title fights for us.

Head coach Alexander Inderst (Ridnaun): “The preparation in Antholz was excellent. With the exception of Elia Zeni, who was ill, all athletes were able to work on their best form. The season so far has been up and down, but I think we will see great performances in the Czech Republic. With Giacomel, Vittozzi but also Wierer, Hofer and Bionaz, we have several top athletes in the team, and young, up-and-coming starters round out the line-up. The races in Nove Mesto will be held under floodlights in the evening, the snow is different than usual - we have to be prepared for that. I am very confident that we will succeed.”

Alexander Inderst asked his athletes to the training camp in the South Tyrol Arena over the past few days.

Patrick Braunhofer (25 years/Ridnaun): “The last few days of training were really good. The setup fits and we are well prepared. Now it's important that everyone stays healthy and starts with a good dose of optimism. At my World Cup debut last year I only made two appearances before I got sick. I hope that things go better this time and that I can be in the fight for the top 30 positions.”

Dorothea Wierer (33 years/lawn): “Things are slowly improving for me, but I've only been really healthy for two and a half weeks. That's why the form is not yet the best. I’m going to Nove Mesto with subdued expectations, I have to be that realistic.”

>>> Click here for the detailed interview with Dorothea Wierer.


Lisa Vittozzi (28 years/Sappada): "Honestly? I have a really good feeling. If I manage to stay cool and go on the cross-country ski trails feeling free, then I'll definitely be able to do a lot. I'm still missing a world championship title in an individual competition, maybe it will work in Nove Mesto. I do think that this should be my goal, but the dream of a medal must not become an obsession.”

Rebecca Passler is about to take part in her second World Cup. © Pentaphoto/Trovati

Rebecca Passler (22 years/Antholz): “The World Cup will certainly be a great experience. My goal has to be to finish in the top 30. If I can make it to the top 20, that would be great.”



Lukas Hofer (34 years/Montal): “I went to the World Championships in Oberhof last year with the thought that it might be my last. I'm not worried about it at all this time. In the summer I will sit down and think about the future. Now it's time to attack fully. A lot can happen at a World Cup, so it's difficult to set clear goals. I only dare to predict this much: There will be surprises in these title fights too.”

Tommaso Giacomel (23 years/Primiero): “We had ideal conditions here in Antholz and were able to prepare perfectly for the World Cup. Now we have to adapt to the local conditions. But I am sure that we will succeed. My goal is to win a medal, that’s for sure.”