This past weekend Slovenia’s Anamarija Lampic reached a goal she strived for since moving from cross-country to biathlon 2 ½ years ago: her first World Cup podium, third place in Thursday’s Annecy Le Grand Bornand Women’s Sprint.

The 29-year-old came to biathlon after a successful cross-country career where she competed in two Winter Olympic Games and won the 2021 World Cup Sprint title. The switch to biathlon was a risky, but one she feels, “If I had not done it, I would have regretted it for the rest of my life!”

Total novice Lampic brought blazing ski speed like Denise Herrmann to biathlon. Yet, the 29-year-old had to learn how to shoot before unleashing that ski speed. Prone targets started closing easier recently, setting up the ALGB Sprint where she cleaned prone, missed just two standing targets, left sixth, and skied onto the podium. Fulfilling her promise for the first time, she admitted, “I knew I did a few steps forward from last year…It feels like Gold to me, a win.”

Before heading home for the holidays, Lampic answered our Burning Questions Holiday Edition with a little biathlon and a lot of Christmas thrown in.

Biathlonworld: What was the best part of finally getting on the podium?

Anamarija Lampic: For sure I can say that all hard work pays off 😃

BW After you, who was most excited about your podium: coaches, teammates, family or...?

AL: Absolutely my boyfriend, family and all my team.

BW: What is your earliest Christmas memory?

AL: Uff, I don’t remember, but it’s always the same and I still love it. All the family together in the house under the Christmas 🎄

BW: How many times did you get skis at Christmas as a kid and your favorites were?

AL: I think just one time when I was really young. I remember me and my brother each getting one pair of skis that you can just step on with your shoes.

BW: What is your family’s Christmas Tradition?

AL: We have Christmas dinner and breakfast together and then we open the gifts 🎁

BW: When is your biggest celebration: Christmas Day or Christmas Eve or both and what will you do?

AL: I cannot choose; I like everything about Christmas. I would be the happiest person in the world if Christmas would be at least few days long😍

BW: Do all the athlete dietary rules go out the door during the holidays?

AL: Speaking for myself, I don’t have any limits on Christmas break 😄

Anamarija Lampic earned a big Christmas gift in the ALGB Sprint and the New Year could likely bring more of the same…stay tuned. Happy Holidays to all!

Photos: IBU/Christian Manzoni, Anamarija Lampic