Laura Dahlmeier reflects on the first week of the BMW IBU World Championships 2025 in Lenzerheide that delivered high drama, breakthrough victories, and dominant performances from familiar names. Franziska Preuss, JT Boe, Campbell Wright and Justine Braisaz-Bouchet stole the headlines, while some others favourites are still searching for their best form.

Johannes Thingnes Boe’s journey to his record-breaking 21st World Championship gold in Lenzerheide was as much about mental clarity as physical preparation. He impressed me with his to decision to leave the Norwegian high-altitude camp to train and recover on his own terms. It was a bold decision, but it clearly paid off. It takes self-awareness and conviction to step away from the traditional approach and trust what works best individually. His rejuvenated performance reminded me of my own time recharging in a remote cabin after the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018 — sometimes, going against the norm is exactly what’s needed. That he topped his Sprint gold with another win - and another record for the history books - in the Pursuit, further confirmed that he took the right decision.

To Franziska Preuss: Franzi delivered a world-class performance to claim her long-awaited individual gold medal in the Pursuit, shooting a perfect 20/20 and fending off fierce competition from Elvira Oeberg, Lena Haecki-Gross, and the French team. Her success was no coincidence—it was a masterclass in race execution.It is also the result of a decade of hard work by Franzi and those around her, throughout a long career marked by many challenging periods. What stood out the most in the Pursuit was her mindset, particularly during the final shooting, where she remained composed under immense pressure. Pairing that with smart pacing throughout the race, she truly earned her title. A well-deserved world champion!

Campbell Wright’s remarkable composure under pressure, allowed him to secure two silver medals, proving that his talent extends far beyond youthful promise. His relaxed yet focused approach has not only made him the new face of US biathlon and a worthy U23 Score leader, but also positioned him as a serious contender for the Total Score in the future. And he clearly has a very good team around him.

People ask if Justine Braisaz-Bouchet’s return to form in Lenzerheide has surprised me. Justine’s return to top form might look surprising, but in reality, it’s a mix of expected and unexpected. Coming into these Championships, her season had been inconsistent, especially in shooting. However, some places just bring out the best in an athlete, and Lenzerheide is clearly one of them for Braisaz-Bouchet. She won three out of three races here before these World Championships. And in her fourth start? Another victory. When an athlete thrives in a particular environment, that confidence can translates into repeat success.

Which is not exactly true for the German men, at least not yet. Just a year ago a now retired Benedikt Doll won in the World Cup Sprint in Lenzerheide, Philipp Nawrath was third and Philipp Horn fifth. It’s been a frustrating Championships so far for the German men, particularly at the shooting range. The disappointment is evident, and while individual shooting sequences have looked solid, they haven’t been able to translate that into consistent competition success. Confidence plays a huge role, and right now, it’s just not clicking for them. The coaches confirm they shoot well in training, but without competitive reinforcement, the pressure builds instead of eases.

The same goes for several big names, for whom a strong second half of the Championships is still on the table for Sturla Holm Laegreid and Tarjei Boe will be looking to join Johannes in the medal table, while Selina Grotian, Lou Jeanmonnot, and Sebastian Samuelsson have the potential to step up and challenge for top honours. We can expect more surprises, more drama, and more standout performances as the competition continues.