Vitezslav Hornig is one of the names home fans will be watching in Nove Mesto. This season, he won silver in the mixed relay with his teammates at the World Championships and is having his best season yet. Now, he talks about his breakthrough, key improvements, and the unique atmosphere of racing at home.

Biathlonworld: Let’s take a quick look back at the past weeks in Lenzerheide. When did you first realise that you were fighting for a medal in the Mixed Relay?

Vitezslav Hornig: I started to believe it was possible at the end of my leg when I handed over the relay and saw that we were still in the fight for third place. Then, after the final shooting stage, it was clear that we had it. At the finish line, it was total euphoria—not just for us, but for the entire team. Coaches came running, service staff joined in - it was a moment of pure joy, the kind you dream of. So far, it’s the biggest moment of my career.

BW: Your performances have improved significantly this season. What changed?

VH: There were a lot of small but important changes that came together. Ondra Moravec returned as a coach, and we made adjustments to our strength training. I also started working on my nutrition—I lost some weight, which really helped my skiing. And then there’s Per Torvik, who has been a huge help with technique and mental preparation. It was like putting together a puzzle, and this season, everything finally clicked into place.

BW: Now back to this week. What would a perfect race day in Nove Mesto na Morave look like for you?

VH: A perfect day? That depends on the result! If it goes well, then everything that led up to it must have been just right. I’m most looking forward to the men’s relay. It’s a team event, and racing at home adds something extra special. Nove Mesto is different from other venues—the crowd here supports us directly, and it creates an incredible atmosphere.

BW: Shooting has always been one of your strengths. How are you working on further improving it?

VH: It’s all about repetition and trusting my training. This season, I’ve become significantly faster on the skis, which has opened up new possibilities for me. But it also made me think too much at times, and that led to mistakes. The key is managing my effort on the course so that I arrive at the shooting range in the best possible condition—no shaky legs, no unnecessary stress. When I get that right, I know I can shoot at a very high level.

BW: What do you enjoy outside of biathlon? Any hobbies that might surprise your fans?

VH: I’m a huge football fan, and I support Barcelona. After the season, I sometimes play for fun, but I have to be careful not to get injured. I also love hockey—our team usually plays a game together in the spring, and it’s always a great time. And when I’m at competitions, I like following other sports. It helps me switch off from biathlon and clear my mind.

Photos: IBU Photopool