The past year has taken a toll on Vanessa Voigt. In the summer of 2024, she had to pause her biathlon training due to mental health issues. Although she returned for the start of the 2024/2025 World Cup season in Kontiolahti, she faced another setback in January. After finishing 68th in the Oberhof sprint and 70th in the Ruhpolding individual race, she ended her season. She was exhausted, devoid of energy, and her body could no longer perform. Now, she is fighting her way back.

After nearly four months without competitive sports, Vanessa Voigt realises she still needs time to return to her usual physical level. She has reintegrated into the German biathlon team, joining them in early May for a training camp in Oberhof and participating in the June training camp in Livigno. However, the training sessions feel different to her now, with a shifted focus. Most importantly, she is enjoying sports again and has regained the strength to push herself.

After ending her season in January, competitive sports were out of the question. She felt exhausted, and even short walks in the fresh air were strenuous.

"It was very hard for me to accept that I needed a break. In the summer of 2024, my mind went on strike. I quickly realised I needed to recover. In winter, it was a different situation. My mind was willing, but my body had given up. Letting go sounds simple, but it wasn't at that moment," says the 27-year-old. But once she accepted and announced her decision, her physical condition improved. A sign for Vanessa Voigt that she had made the right choice.

Deleted Instagram to Protect Herself

To avoid constant exposure to the biathlon bubble, Vanessa Voigt first deleted the Instagram app from her phone. "Seeing others post videos and pictures from competitions and training would have stressed me out too much." She needed distance. She took her vacation early and consciously avoided engaging with biathlon. A mix of active experiences and relaxation helped her unwind. In March, she attempted to return to her athletic routine with small training sessions. However, athletic performance was not the focus; instead, it was about regaining her health.

"An important point for me was knowing that I am set for the World Cup next season. This way, I don’t have to deal with qualification and can return to my former strength at my own pace."

She is aware of how privileged she is to turn her hobby into a profession and is very happy that her desire to train has returned. She missed her life as a competitive athlete and looks forward to steadily improving her performance again.

Openness as the Key to Success

Vanessa Voigt speaks openly about her mental and physical struggles. She doesn’t want to hide and wants to show others that the sun will shine again after tough times. It did her good to view sports from a different perspective.

"It was an educational time for me. I realised that I need to listen to myself. Of course, an athlete needs a team, and sometimes you have to adapt, but ultimately, I stand alone at the starting line and must make it to the finish line." She has seen that one of her strengths is being mentally fit and able to process impressions. "In the future, I want to communicate more openly with my team. Maybe showing weakness is a strength." Vanessa Voigt is grateful for these experiences.

Standing at the Starting Line with a Smile

For the new season, Vanessa Voigt wishes to stand at the starting line with ease and a smile. She is aware that the season is special with the Olympic Winter Games in Antholz on the horizon. However, having already won an Olympic medal at the Peking Games, she doesn’t feel pressured to collect more medals.

"I have experienced the Olympic Games, and I know the Olympic atmosphere. Of course, as an athlete, I want to show my best performance at the peak moment, and I am already looking forward to the atmosphere on-site. But in the end, I am satisfied if I have had good races. We will see what that leads to." She still lacks a place on the top step of the podium.

This is what Vanessa Voigt still wants to achieve in her biathlon career, whether in the World Cup or at the Olympic Games. She is convinced that she can do it if she regains her former strength.