Coming from the same region as the legendary Boe brothers, Maren Kirkeeide, still only 21, grabbed the attention after three podiums in Oberhof. With a calm nature, she often excels under pressure and finishes races strongly, relying on her accuracy in her standing shooting and endurance abilities in the final lap. No wonder legend Ole Einar Bjoerndalen has praised Maren's potential, hailing her as the new Norwegian biathlon star.

Congratulations on your first World Cup podiums in Oberhof! How did it feel to stand on the podium, and how do you reflect on those performances now?

It was a really cool experience to finish on the podium. I was hoping to be on the podium one day, but not so fast, not so early in my career. At the end of the week, I suddenly had three podiums to my name. I am very pleased with my Oberhof week.

You come from the same region as the Boe brothers. Tarjei and Johannes described usual conditions in Oberhof as their natural habitat: hard labour in the demanding tracks and wet snow. Would you agree that Oberhof suits you as well?

Yes! We train a lot in wet conditions, even rainy days are not so rare. Conditions in Oberhof definitely worked to my strengths.

Ole Einar Bjoerndalen called you the "next star of Norwegian biathlon." How do you process that kind of praise, and does it add any pressure to your career?

I think it’s really cool that a legend like Ole Einar sees so much potential in me. I know he mentioned that I tend to start races a bit slower and finish them stronger, and I totally agree with that. A lot of it comes down to my preference for standing shooting, where I feel a bit more comfortable compared to prone.

During Oberhof week, ZDF experts mentioned that athletes with high heart capacity face challenges in the prone position due to body pressure on the heart. With your exceptional endurance, have you noticed this?

Hm. No, not really. But now that you mention it, I often feel an unusually intense pulse in the prone.

Your brother Simon is also a biathlete and has quite a colourful personality. How does having a sibling in the same sport influence your journey, and do you give each other advice or feedback?

We get along really well—he’s a fantastic brother and a great source of support. It’s comforting to have him in my corner. Occasionally, we train together, sharing experiences and tips. He’s an incredibly fast skier, among the quickest of Norwegian biathletes, though his shooting accuracy hasn’t quite caught up to his skiing yet. I truly hope that one day we’ll have the opportunity to travel together as part of the Norwegian team.

How do you use your calm and composed nature as a strength in such a high-pressure sport?

I can get really nervous on race day, often right up until the start. But once the race begins, I’m able to channel my energy and focus entirely on executing my plan, both on the shooting range and on the tracks. I also don’t let mistakes weigh me down when things don’t go as planned.

The Norwegian biathlon team has a rich history. How do you balance the expectations of representing such a strong team while staying true to your own pace and goals?

The pressure is definitely heavier on the men’s side—just qualifying for the team, whether in the World Cup or the IBU Cup, is incredibly tough. Norway’s women’s teams are also very strong at every level, and the intense daily competition helps us adapt to constant pressure. It becomes part of the routine, which makes the transition to the IBU Cup or World Cup a bit less overwhelming compared to athletes from many other nations.

Who is your role model in biathlon? Which characteristics of the role model do you admire the most?

I’ve always looked up to Tarjei and Johannes since we’re from the same region, and they’ve achieved so much. But then I am also aware that I am stepping into the footsteps of Tora Berger, Tiril Eckhoff, Marte Olsbu Roeiseland, and now Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold. I try to learn from them and use what would work with my competing style.

And a fantasy question for the end: Which is your favourite film and the favourite character in it?

Cars—and Lightning McQueen! It would be amazing to ski as fast as Lightning McQueen drives one day!