Now comes Hannah

People set goals for themselves, and this is particularly true for Hannah Auchentaller from Antholz. After finishing fourth at the IBU Cup in Idre, Sweden, the 21-year-old biathlete competed twice in the World Cup in Annecy before Christmas - an important experience.

For her or her friend Rebecca Passler, the main thing at the moment is to gain a foothold in the “elite circle” and gain experience. Auchentaller is working hard – already with a view to the 2026 Olympic Games in Milan and Cortina. During this major event, the biathlon competitions take place in Antholz. Hanna Auchentaller at the World Cup in Annecy.

“Home Olympics in my own valley is always in the back of my mind and a great motivation. We are working towards that,” confirms Auchentaller. As a resident of Antholz, you almost inevitably come into contact with biathlon, the unique combination of shooting and cross-country skiing. Even little Hannah.

Many greats of the past (Johann Passler, Gottlieb Taschler, Willy Pallhuber, etc.) practiced this sport with great success. Auchentaller looks back: “As a girl, I tried a lot of things in sports. Football, cycling, athletics. Then I went to the biathlon stadium with my father and saw the athletes there. I wanted to try it too.” Father Armin as contact person Armin Auchentaller (51), Hannah's father, was an active biathlete from 1988 to 1993. He then started a coaching career with Italy's women's team, was a coach in Switzerland and has been a coach in the USA since 2018. “We try not to talk too much about biathlon at home. First and foremost, as a father, he is my caregiver, and I think that’s a good thing,” explains Hannah.

But the topic of biathlon obviously plays a big role at Auchentaller. Also because Leni, Hannah's younger sister, who is now 18, is also a biathlete. There was a cozy family get-together over Christmas.

But constant training should never be neglected. “I train in Antholz around the turn of the year. We have the best conditions there, and our base coach at the Carabinieri sports group, Willy Pallhuber, looks after us very well,” says Hannah happily. Hannah Auchentaller and teammate and good friend Rebecca Passler.

The 21-year-old doesn't want to throw around resolutions. “I want to improve and continually improve. That has priority. It's also important to me that I enjoy what I do. When it comes to training, commitment and concentration are required. Then you also need breaks and phases in which you can switch off,” says Hannah.

Like any young person, she enjoys hanging out with friends. "That feels good. With a cup of coffee, a trip to Lake Antholz or shopping, I'm just Hannah and not the biathlete. It's important to me that I'm perceived as a person and not always as an athlete," affirms the blonde boy.

Hannah is outgoing and has a bright smile: “I would definitely describe myself as a positive person with lots of energy.” Great success as a junior She was also able to beam about her sporting success. Gold in the relay at the Junior World Championships and further medals in the junior class are proof. Of course, a different wind blows for the big ones. “At the World Cup in Annecy, I saw how high the standard was in the two competitions,” confirms Auchentaller, who finished in the middle of the field in each case. First tough tests among the elite.

But it's still far from reaching its zenith. “It is important to increase the workload, year after year. We are lucky to be able to mature alongside Dorothea Wierer. Just watching her train and prepare for competition gives you a lot. Doro always gives us good tips.”

As a well-educated, down-to-earth young woman, Hannah Auchentaller is also very grateful to many of her companions: “First and foremost, I would like to thank my family.”

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Now comes Hannah

21-year-old Hannah Auchentaller from Antholz is looking forward to a successful future in the Biathlon World Cup and is thinking about the 2026 Winter Olympics on her doorstep.

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