In Dresden, we caught up with Lisa Vittozzi and Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold as they reflected on their friendship and last winter's dramatic battle for the Total Score title. Tandrevold spent five out of nine weeks in a yellow bib but succumbed to Vittozzi in the finals in Canmore.

For Vittozzi, it was a triumph of character and will as she went through sporting and emotional turmoil after losing the Total Score battle to Dorothea Wierer in the last week of the 2018/2019 season. Despite a fierce rivalry, respect for each other - and their friendship - never got questioned.

BW: Lisa, last year was incredible, with a dream-like ending. A few months later, what is the most vivid memory, and what moment are you most proud of?

Lisa: I can't single out a specific moment, because what I accomplished last winter started long before. I'm proud of myself for how I came back, and for how I overcame my anxieties, fears, and depression. I'm proud of what I achieved, starting from scratch when I did not even know who I was anymore. Now I’m just happy, not because of the titles I won, but because all of this has taught me a lot and made me a better person and athlete. I'm grateful for that.

BW: Last season, we witnessed a great battle for the Total Score title. Ingrid, how did you see it?

Ingrid: It was the best season of my career. When you are in the middle of such intense dynamics, you don’t have time to appreciate and acknowledge what you have done. When I found time to reflect, I realised that I had many good races, that I had improved a lot, and that I got close to winning the Total Score.

BW: What have you learned?

Ingrid: I learned that things change almost daily in biathlon. One day, you are sure you have cracked the code. The next day, the door is locked again. During the summer, I dedicated a lot of time to physical and technical preparation, as well as finding ways to cope with both good and bad days.

BW: Ingrid, you have had your ups and downs - but perhaps not as dramatic as Lisa. With what feelings were you observing Lisa's journey in the past 4-5 years?

Ingrid: I had never talked to Lisa about her attempt to win the Total Score title in the 2018/2019 season. I could only feel her pain in the last Trimester five years ago. Now, I can relate to that. When you feel such pressure and constant attention from your opponents and the public, it can be hard to focus. But you learn twice as much from a painful experience - such as losing a Total Score title in the last week of the season - compared to a good experience. I hope I will be better prepared should a chance to win a Total Score come around one more time. Alone to be in the position to win the Total Score is difficult to create. Many things need to tilt your way. You need good races and a bit of luck.

BW: Lisa, since Ingrid, in a way, experienced a season finale similar to the one you unfortunately had in 2019, is there any advice you'd like to give her?

Lisa: Honestly, I don't feel like giving advice. I don't like cliché phrases, especially because when people said them to me - it annoyed me a lot. The only thing I can say is: live in the present.

BW: Speaking of that, did the thought of that moment ever come knocking before the last race in Canmore? And if so, how did you push it away?

Lisa: That thought did knock indeed, but I got up, asked who it was, and went back to sleep. I had so much confidence in myself that I didn’t let it disturb my peace. I knew my moment had arrived, and I wasn't going to let anything ruin it.

BW: Lisa, Ingrid said that if she had to lose the cup, she was "happy" to lose it to you. How special is it to have friendships like this?

Lisa: I’m glad she felt that way. In the end, I think sport is beautiful for this reason too: you create strong bonds despite competing for the same goals. In a way, I think these bonds are even more genuine because, even though only one can win, there’s always someone who finds a moment to hug you or offer words of comfort. It’s special.

BW: Ingrid, how does one differentiate between being a friend in private and a fierce competitor in the tracks and on the shooting range?

Ingrid: There is a big difference between wanting to win and wanting to do your best and wanting to beat the others. I am competing against my friends, who are also my competitors. I never wish others not to succeed - I want to be the best version of myself on any given day. When many athletes compete for the same goal, wishing others well-wanting to win- dynamics are often misunderstood. I have a huge respect for my competitors as I know exactly how hard they work. I had a disappointing World Championships, but Julia Simon’s success cheered me up. That is the beauty of biathlon - things change all the time, and you need to appreciate the good moments, yours and those of your friends.

BW: Lisa, winning is certainly amazing. But it often brings a lot of "work" in managing all the commitments that follow. How was that part after the end of the season?

Lisa: Let’s say it was very demanding, especially because I was exhausted at the end of the season. But after my rejuvenating vacation in Scotland, I was able to manage the stress. I’m also lucky to have fantastic people who help me handle my commitments. Doing it alone would be tough.

BW: Ingrid, how did you process the season? Who did you talk to the most?

Ingrid: When shit hits the fan (laughs), it helps to have good people around you. There were extreme moments in the last season when I think my coaches had a chance to get to know me even better than before. I trust we can use that knowledge in the future - whenever I might have a lapse in self-confidence.