This past weekend was a big one for Anna Gandler. On Friday she won the Austrian Summer Championships 12.5 km Individual with 18-of-20 shooting and Sunday had another spectacular day shooting well and flying around the final loop at City Biathlon Dresden to grab second place ahead of Olympic Pursuit Champion Lisa Vittozzi.

After an Olympic season that was far below her expectations and standards, Gandler reversed her fortunes and is back on track as one of biathlon’s rising stars. After arriving home in Austria from Dresden, she answered our five burning questions and a bonus about her French summer interlude.

Biathlonworld: You had quite a weekend: a win at the Austrian Championships and second at Dresden, what did that do for you confidence?

Anna Gandler: I have to admit, I was really disappointed after this Olympic season, and was at a point where I questioned everything. Even small successes like these give you an incredible boost of motivation and self-confidence to keep on working. That was very important for me. My preparation has gone according to plan so far, and I knew that I had trained well. Nevertheless, I was surprised to be in such good shape already, especially since I’m still missing some of the harder training sessions. So, I think I can still do better. But the result showed me that I’m on the right track and that the work I’ve been putting in is paying off.

BW: What was the last loop like when you moved up to second, getting ahead of Lisa?

AG: I was scared that I was attacking too early. But I wanted this so hard, that I put all my strength in it. It was really stressful and the adrenaline kicked in, but I am happy that I could bring the second place to the finish line.

BW: A few weeks ago, at Blink, you were not at the top of your game, what changed physically or in your mind since then?

AG: At Blink, I was really stressed. I had also made some changes to my rifle, and I still didn’t feel 100% comfortable with it, especially during the show events, where you have to shoot quickly as well.

But I learned a lot from that experience and tried to put it into practice at the Austrian Championships and in Dresden. I think there’s still room for improvement, but I still have some time to work on it before the winter season starts.

BW: After a tough season last year, what does it feel like to be back competing for the podium?

AG: It’s definitely a small success, but at the same time, I don’t want to read too much into it. Every athlete comes into the event from a different stage of preparation, and no one prepares for a show event in the same way they would for a World Cup. I think, above all, it gives me confidence and motivation for the training ahead, and it’s reassuring to know that I can keep up with the best.

BW: You spent the summer in France; do you feel like you worked harder than before with maybe fewer distractions than if you were at home?

AG: I would say that my training hasn’t changed much, but I’ve stayed healthy so far and have been able to follow the plan 100%. On top of that, the infrastructure for biathletes in France is perfect. The roller-ski track, shooting range, and gym are all within a five-minute distance. This saves a lot of time and makes the whole training process much more efficient.

Biathlonworld Bonus: Beyond a few extra patisserie stops and being with Emilien for most of the summer, what did you enjoy the most about your summer in France?

AG: I love being able to ski on roller skis for hours on the roads there. In Austria, it’s not allowed, but over there, you can spend hours roller-skiing on almost completely deserted roads. I’ve also met so many great new people and gained a lot of valuable experience along the way. I’m very grateful for that.

The work for the new season is far from over and as always, there is room for improvement. Still, after this weekend, Anna Gandler seems poised for a renaissance of her biathlon fortunes in 2026/27.

Photos: IBU/Yevenko, Nordic Focus