The young wild ones from Antholz and a special dream

It's definitely not the case that Andreas Zingerle will rave about his great successes over dinner with his family. It's actually completely inconceivable that he would do this, although there's a lot to be said about it. From his individual world championship title in Borovetz in 1983. Plus the gold with the relay. There are certainly a few anecdotes behind the Olympic bronze medal in Calgary with the boys Werner Kiem, Gottlieb Taschler and Johann Passler. The current head coach of the Italian biathlon team was the final runner at the time.

But Zingerle doesn't live in the past because the present also offers so much. His children are guaranteed to give him great joy and daughter Linda in particular already knows what it feels like when the stadium announcer proclaims: World Champion Linda Zingerle. Last year in Lenzerheide (Switzerland) she won the sprint in the youth class and also won silver in the relay. This year we added a silver medal and a bronze medal in Obertilliach this week. It looks like the South Tyrolean apple doesn't fall far from the tree either.

Rebecca Passler is one of the great talents in biathlon. © EXPA Pictures / EXPA/ Lukas Huter

It's by no means the case that dad strictly chases his children to the cross-country ski trails and to the shooting range (David, Linda's older brother, who is already competing at the junior level, is also close to winning medals at the World Championships in Obertilliach ). It's probably automatic. Andreas takes the children to the stadium. You enjoy this varied sport and it has already happened in connection with a very special vibration that is in the air. The Antholz biathlon gene In Antholz you automatically carry a biathlon gene. The successes of the many Antholz athletes in the past contribute a large part to this and then of course the generation around Dorothea Wierer, Lukas Hofer and Dominik Windisch. All of them are medal collectors and have long been known far beyond the valley. This is also a motivation that should not be underestimated. The role models inspire.

Hanna Auchentaller has also been infected by the enthusiasm for this sport and she also has one of the best advisors there is. It is dad Armin who is behind the successes of US biathlete Susan Dunklee (twice silver at the World Championships). The trained trainer may well have his share in Hannah's achievements, because he is a meticulous worker and has a great love of detail. Hannah's good technique on the cross-country ski trail speaks for a good influence. In Obertilliach, too, she was always one of the best when it came to running. Only mistakes at the shooting range prevented top placings. But the relay is still pending and, back then in the youth division, she won the silver medal with Linda Zingerle and Rebecca Passler last year. Must be Passler Yes, Passler. Another biathlon name buzzing through the Antholz Valley. Johann Passler, a legend, took part in four Olympic Games. His greatest triumph was certainly the bronze medal in Calgary in 1988. Rebecca is his niece, the daughter of his brother Paul, who for once has not been infected by the biathlon virus. Rebecca Passler is considered one of the great talents in South Tyrol. In Obertilliach she proved this again with silver in the sprint and bronze in the pursuit in the junior division. Strong nerves at the shooting range, with a very good foundation in the cross-country ski trails. Dream of the Olympics at home Of course, this brings back memories of the 2011 World Junior Championships in Nove Mesto na Moravje in the Czech Republic, when Dorothea Wierer won all three junior individual titles. Two years later, not even Laura Dahlmeier managed to do that in Obertilliach in 2013. Wierer's horse-drawn carriage was then taken out of the stable in Rasen to be chauffeured through the valley as befitting her status. The wheels should continue to be well oiled and the steeds should always be fed fresh feed, as it seems as if there will be more missions in the future. The offspring have fledged and the timing is perfect. The Olympic biathlon competitions will take place in Antholz in five years. Linda Zingerle, Hannah Augentaller and Rebbecca Passler are in their mid-twenties and therefore at the best age to make their dreams come true. One horse-drawn carriage may no longer be enough…

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The young wild ones from Antholz and a special dream

The Junior World Championships are taking place in Obertilliach these days. The South Tyrolean athletes are among the main actors. This hasn't gone unnoticed by our columnist Sigi Heinrich, who has some interesting anecdotes to share.

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