As the Head Coach of the US National Biathlon Team, Armin Auchentaller shares his insights on one of the most exciting stories of the BMW IBU World Championships Lenzerheide 2025 — the breakthrough of Campbell Wright, including his silver medals in the Sprint and Pursuit. He also reflects on the dynamics in Lenzerheide and looks to the final weekend of the Championships.

The biathlon world witnessed a remarkable breakthrough in Lenzerheide as Campbell Wright claimed two silver medals.. Was this surprising? To an extent, yes. Before the BMW IBU World Championships, we knew of his steady development and potential. However, seeing him step onto the podium was still an exciting moment. Yet, it should be noted that he is the current U23 leader and had already been close to the flower podium in Kontiolahti, signalling that his time was coming.

One of the most striking aspects of Wright’s performance is his unique racing style—relaxed yet fearless. The way an athlete approaches competition plays a crucial role in their success. While he may appear as a laid-back and easygoing character, he is extremely professional and highly coachable. His commitment to improvement is huge, and within the US team, we have worked on refining various aspects of his racing while recognising that he is still in the relatively early stages of his career. Growing up in New Zealand, Wright developed a different outlook compared to athletes from more traditional biathlon nations. He first skied at Snowfarm in New Zealand as a child and quickly fell in love with the sport. His early exposure to racing in Italy, where he competed in the Italian Cup, helped him realise that he has the potential for bigger things. Beyond competition, he thrives in the biathlon community, where friendships play a vital role in his happiness and motivation.

Wright’s emergence is perhaps a part of a broader trend in the sport. While Johannes Thingnes Boe continues to dominate, no other Norwegian men have won an individual medal in Lenzerheide. This raises the question: Are we witnessing a shift in biathlon’s power dynamics? It’s certainly a positive sign for the sport and for the International Biathlon Union’s development programs that Norwegian men are not untouchable, that the gap can be closed. However, nations like Norway, France, Sweden, and Germany still have deeper talent pools, giving them an advantage, at least in short-term Total Score battles. While podiums may become more diverse, athletes from ‘smaller’ biathlon nations—Wright included—might still need a few more seasons before challenging for the overall title.

Looking at another exciting moment in Lenzerheide, Tommaso Giacomel’s silver in the Individual was a proud achievement for Italy. His strengths as an athlete have been clear for some time, but his confidence has surged since winning the Mass Start in Ruhpolding. That self-belief, combined with his raw talent, makes him a serious contender for the Total Score in the coming years. As an Italian myself, I was delighted to celebrate his success, and our team even joined the Italians for a small celebration in the wax truck.

On the women’s side, the dominance of the French team has been remarkable. Winning four individual medals is no coincidence. Their technical skiing ability and sound shooting technique make them the most complete team at the moment. Credit to their coaches for that!

As for the final showdown in the Mass Start, Lou Jeanmonnot has steadily improved throughout the championships, and I see her as the leading contender. After handling immense pressure in the earlier races, she is poised for a strong finish. On the men’s side, Eric Perrot will likely challenge Johannes Thingnes Boe once again, setting up what promises to be a thrilling conclusion to the World Championships.