Olympic champion Denise Herrmann-Wick reflects on the unique magic of the Olympic Winter Games—and the delicate balance between chasing Olympic gold and delivering all winter on the World Cup. She explains why competing in a regular World Cup venue might help athletes focus easier.

In an Olympic season, balancing World Cup results with peaking for the Games is a delicate art, and athletes approach it differently. Some, like parts of the Norwegian and German teams and the Oeberg sisters, opted to skip events such as the Nove Mesto World Cup week. Dorothea Wierer and Lisa Vittozzi skipped Oberhof. Others, most notably the French team, followed the full schedule. High-altitude training during the Christmas break and completing a full Trimester 2 can be taxing, but for some athletes it works, allowing them to maintain competitive rhythm while focusing on fine-tuning.

Athletes know the Games bring a unique mental dimension. Biathletes are lucky to have the World Championships every non-Olympic year and learn to deal with additional pressure. But it is still not the same. The Olympics are often tied to childhood dreams, adding either pressure, motivation, or both. Familiarity with the venue can make a significant difference. Antholz-Anterselva, a regular World Cup stop and host of the 2020 World Championships, provides athletes the advantage of experience—they can focus on performance rather than learning a new venue, unlike Beijing 2022, which was further complicated by COVID-19 restrictions.

Antholz itself is both beloved and demanding. Its high altitude and unique shooting range challenge even the best athletes, and familiarity with the venue can boost confidence—or intensify pressure, as every Olympic race becomes a “Day X” event. Teams train there in the summer, and athletes are accustomed to its specific dynamics. The atmosphere of other World Cup venues, such as Oberhof, Ruhpolding, and Nove Mesto, also prepared them for loud, full-house conditions in Antholz. This might help manage nerves and expectations.

Experience at major championships is invaluable, particularly for first-time Olympians in 2026. For relay events, the margin for error is even smaller, as so many things need to come together. Medal-winning teams must have everything click: peak physical daily form, precise shooting, flawless transitions, and seamless teamwork, supported by coaches, waxers, physios, and even cooks. Everyone works feverishly for the team.

At Antholz, the high altitude asks a physically lot from athletes. Speaking of the German team, Julia Tannheimer, who is a strong skier, might enjoy the demanding course. Tannheimer could be a big surprise in Antholz. Janina Hettich-Walz is also skiing well this season. As for Franziska Preuss—she knows how to win on big occasions and will do everything within her power to claim that individual Olympic medal.

As margins tighten and more nations contest medals at the Olympics, sticking to proven protocols is often what separates success from disappointment. Maintaining simplicity in approach—relying on what has worked consistently during the season—remains the most reliable strategy.

Ultimately, the Olympics are a unique experience. My advice to athletes dreaming of standing on the podium in Milano–Cortina 2026 is simple: enjoy the Games. The joy of the experience itself is invaluable, and any success achieved simply enhances that feeling. Relishing the moment while striving to perform at one’s best is the true essence of Olympic achievement.