Dorothea Wierer: When the circle closes

Italy's biathlon team is now complete: Dorothea Wierer and her team will officially begin their preparations for the Olympic Games in Antholz in the coming days. For Wierer herself, this is the last of a unique career.

June 06, 2025

From: dl

The men’s team, which has been preparing for many years, also Dorothea Wierer will be fully assembled for the first time. Wierer recently trained with some teammates in her adopted home of Val di Fiemme. After completing numerous meetings with sponsors, her sports group (Fiamme Gialle), and the federations, the 35-year-old can now fully concentrate on the 2026 Olympics in her home country, a fitting conclusion to her career, during which she won the Crystal Globe twice.

In exactly 247 days, on February 8, 2026, Wierer & Co. will kick off the event in Antholz with a mixed relay. On February 21, a women's mass start will then conclude the first Olympic Games in South Tyrol. For Wierer, this is a full circle. After all, she practically grew up in Antholz.

Lukas Hofer is also challenging for the home Olympics. © Tobias Unterhofer / k_voigt_fotografie

Tommaso Giacomel also returns to the team. After an intensive and successful season, he was spared the first training camp. The Trentino native is Italy's great hope in the men's category for Antholz 2026. Lukas hofer rejoins the team. The 35-year-old will once again undergo individual training this year, but will also participate in some training camps with the team.

Men in Lavazé, women in Antholz

Wierer, Hofer, and Giacomel begin their preparations together with Patrick Braunhofer, Didier Bionaz, and Elia Zeni at the beginning of next week in Rovereto, where performance tests are scheduled. Following that, they'll head to the Lavazé Pass for around 10 days of altitude training camp, where the Swedes will also be at the same time.

Hannah Auchentaller trains with her girls at home.

Also the women's A team around Samuela Comola, Michela Carrara, Martina Trabucchi, Hannah Auchentaller and Rebecca Passler will be in Trentino for the next few days for performance tests. Afterwards, Auchentaller and his team will head to their home training camp in Antholz. Lisa Vittozzi, meanwhile, will soon be training in Ruhpolding with Ridnaun coach Alex Inderst.