With a new season comes new challenges, fresh excitement and fierce battles. But how do biathletes prepare for everything that lies ahead? What is the one piece of advice they will carry with them through the winter? We asked a few, and here is what they told us.

Tamara Steiner: Sparring whenever possible

"One big piece of advice I’m taking from this training season is: use sparring as much as possible. Sparring is not only useful in training, but also during races — both while shooting and running. If you’re having a bad day, which of course can happen, having someone to spar with can help you turn even a difficult day into a good training session.

When running behind another athlete, for example, you can learn a lot from your teammates — from their technique, rhythm, or the way they approach certain situations. And the same goes for shooting: having someone shooting next to you is a great way to practise staying focused and keeping your concentration, even when there are distractions around you.

For me, sparring is therefore not just about pushing each other, but also about learning from one another and making the most out of every training session."

Emilien Claude: Going 100%

After his long-time girlfriend Anna Gandler joined him for good in France, Emilien Claude is on fire.

"My advice that I will try to follow in the upcoming season is: take every race like the last opportunity to win a race in biathlon. Going 100%, full gas, taking my chance and enjoying it like it is the last one.

But don't worry, I don't plan to stop yet!"

Jacques Jefferies: All about the fun

After kicking it off in the Team GB colours last season, Jefferies wants to tackle the new one with more enjoyment. "I want to make sure I am having fun and taking care of myself no matter the situation I am in!"

Sondre Slettemark: Biathlon is for losers

"“Biathlon is for losers” It's a saying that my dad taught me. Throughout my career I’ve competed in countless competitions, and only won a very, very select few. Even the biggest stars in the world only ever win once in a while compared to the total amount of times they have competed. That means that you gotta accept a loss if you want to continue. And you gotta find your own victories, like the friends we make along the way. It doesn’t mean that I don't want to win; I want to win every time, and I work towards that all the time. It's just that biathlon is a sport for losers."

Noora Kaisa Keranen: Trust is the key to success

The Finn raced her first World Cup races already in the 2023-2024 season, but for the upcoming one she has her mind set on one thing: confidence. "I want to enjoy my racing and trust my shooting more."