Campbell Wright stands out at the World Cup – visually and athletically. © ANSA / GIAN EHRENZELLER

The World Cup hero: He conquers fans' hearts and loves a South Tyrolean woman

So far, the world championship titles have all been won by biathletes from France, Norway and Germany. Meanwhile, an exotic athlete is winning the hearts of fans in Lenzerheide: US boy Campbell Wright. There is a lot of South Tyrol behind his two sensational medal wins, as he himself reveals.

21. February 2025

From Lenzerheide

“Ciao,” says Campbell Wright casually as he walks lightly to the SportNews-conversation. He speaks a few bits of Italian, but we conduct the interview in English. Why Italian? The young man with the distinctive mullet hairstyle gives the answer himself: "I was born in New Zealand. But since my youth I have spent the winters in Italy because of the better training opportunities. My girlfriend is from South Tyrol, as is my trainer, and some of my supervisors also speak Italian."

Indeed, Wright has been in a relationship with the Ridnaun biathlete Birgit Schölzhorn for some time, and he is coached by the Antholz trainer guru Armin Auchentaller. Both describe Wright as a laid-back guy who is also very intelligent. "Everyone thinks he's a real chiller. But behind this facade there is a very special, clever person," says Schölzhorn. "Campbell is a funny guy and at the same time an absolute professional," enthuses Auchentaller.

The 53-year-old Pustertaler is the person to whom Wright owes his jump to the top of the biathlon world. He culminated in sensational silver medals in the sprint and pursuit at this World Championship. Auchentaller discovered Wright at a Coppa Italia race when he was 15 years old.

"He travels around the world with a few shirts and a few pants" Birgit Schölzhorn

At that time, he was still competing for New Zealand. A few years later, Auchentaller - now head coach of Team USA - arranged for him to switch nationalities to the Americans. "He wanted to compete in the World Cup and also in relay races there, and I was able to offer him that option," said Auchentaller, who, however, dismisses all merits: "Wright is a rough diamond that others in our team are also polishing."

Armin Auchtenaller (front right next to Campbell Wright) and the US team celebrate two silver medals. © ANSA / GIAN EHRENZELLER

In Switzerland, the 22-year-old won the first ever World Championship medal for the USA. Although he was born in Oceania, both of his parents are from North America. “Italy is my third home,” laughs Wright in the SportNews-Interview. He has his winter quarters in Livigno, but he also trains a lot in South Tyrol. "He spent Christmas at my house, but otherwise he lives out of a suitcase. He travels around the world with a few shirts and pants. I couldn't do that," smiles his girlfriend from the Ridnauntal.

In Antholz it sparked

Schölzhorn and Wright met two years ago while training in Antholz. They arranged to meet for coffee, then the meetings became more regular. "We are very happy together, even if we don't see each other much," Schölzhorn tells us on the phone. While he is competing in the World Cup, she is competing in the second-tier IBU Cup. "I actually wanted to visit him in Lenzerheide, but then I got called up for the Junior World Championships." On Monday she will fly to Sweden. There "Bibi" wants to build on her recent successes, as she recently won relay bronze at the European Championships in Martell.

Birgit Schölzhorn won bronze at the European Championships with Italy's relay team. © Josef Plaickner

The 21-year-old wants to take her boyfriend as an example, because he is "always so relaxed before a start - the opposite of me." Schölzhorn recently observed Wright's coolness in front of the television. "I was at home on the sofa with my family, cheering along," she reveals, adding: "It's wonderful to watch someone you love so much achieve such great success." Schölzhorn was also able to cope with the fact that she couldn't congratulate her boyfriend until late in the evening. "Yes, those were two stressful days. But I noticed on the phone that she was really proud of me," beams Wright.

"He is a great boy!" Armin Auchentaller

Not only his girlfriend was proud, but also his coach. He was the first to congratulate him. "It was incredibly important for biathlon in America. Now we are recognized there as athletes, we have received an incredible amount of messages. Even the TV station NBC has inquired," said Auchentaller, who was primarily happy for the athlete's success, because "he is a great boy! He has the whole package that a good biathlete needs. But above all, he has a lot of fun at work." It is precisely this fun that makes him seem so relaxed on the trail and at the shooting range. It makes him a chiller, as his "Bibi" lovingly describes him.