Biathlonworld: back in the mid -2000s, did you ever imagine your career would still going as you approach 2024 and potentially your 5th OWG in 2026?

Simon Eder: I think so because my dad Alfred Eder did the same. He competed in the 1995 World Championships (at age 41). When I was twenty, I knew I loved my job, being a sportsman, a biathlete. My big goal was to compete until 2018; 2020 I hoped for 2022, but everything since then is a bonus! We will see how long it lasts.

BW: Shooting remains your strong point; do you work on shooting now as much as maybe 10 years ago?

SE: The last two years, yes. I changed something in my shooting style that the Norwegians invented to get faster in standing. It took longer to master than I thought. It worked well this summer and I hope this season I can get an advantage with it. As for shooting as fast as Johannes Thingnes Boe; he is used to shooting on lane 1. If I am shooting next to him, then I am having a good season!

BW: Everyone slows down to some extent as you age, do you do anything extra to fight off Father Time?

SE: I do not think I have lost that much speed. In my best seasons, I have been able to keep up with the best skiers, but when you get older, you have to do more quality. You have to rest well and when you train, you have to make good things from the training. You do not do the things that do not help you get better. Since I became a father in 2014, I do not have the time for non-productive training.

BW: How important is to have the right attitude every day?

SE: I have days that I do not want to train, but I know it is necessary. My daughter used to ask, ‘Dad why are you going to training?’ My answer was that the Norwegians and French are training even more. Now she doesn’t ask!

BW: What is you biggest motivator every day?

SE: After over twenty years in the World Cup, it has changed. Motivation can come from inside, outside. The best is when it comes from inside you. You do not think so much about results and what others think about your performance on the shooting range. When you get older, you get more experience and hopefully wiser. Many things motivate me. I like that my family supports me; I like the races, especially when you have great races and podiums. One podium a season is always a goal. But I always love the process: being on the glacier, training long hours. I know that I cannot do this forever, so I appreciate this now. Motivation is not a problem.

BW: You and Lisa Theresa Hauser picked up your 9th SMR podium in Antholz, what is the key to your success when the two of your become a team? SE: We are both good, fast shooters. It is a great competition for us. It is a great combination for us, both in shooting and the length of the track. We can be very successful when everything comes together. BW: New goals this season? SE: I do not like to speak about goals, just try to get them. But the podium is always a goal, maybe in an individual and hopefully, we can do it in a relay. BW: Is Milan/Cortina 2026, enough to keep you motivated for another 15 months? SE: It is a huge motivator; Antholz is maybe the first time where an Olympics feels like home. It is just two and a half hours from here. It would be great to finish my career, with my family there. I have to see how this winter goes and sees what it brings. I trained hard and hope to have good races this year. If I do that, 2026 would be my final year for sure.