Last fall, 2023 IBU Junior World Championships triple medalist Einar Hedegart moved from biathlon to cross-country, because “I thought my opportunities were much bigger.” After two Gold medals, plus a Bronze, in cross-country at Milano Cortina 2026, and a bit of hesitation, Hedegart returned to his first love, biathlon. Now, he is preparing for his first senior season in the IBU Cup. “My plan was always to go back to biathlon after one year.”

The 24-year-old is one of the most exciting prospects to arrive in recent years, buoyed with outstanding ski speed, shooting potential, and a laser-focus on biathlon success. In between a training day of two intensity sessions, Hedegart answered our questions about his Olympic success, the challenge of biathlon, and his dream 2026/27 biathlon season.

Biathlonworld: You are back in biathlon, is that a good feeling or a bit scary?

Einar Hedegart: It’s both for sure. I haven’t regretted the choice at all. That is the biggest thing of all that I did not choose the A Team in cross-country. It is also quite scary since I was quite good in cross-country. I had a better chance to compete in the cross-country World Cup, but the choice was right for me. Biathlon is much more fun and I think my potential is much bigger. That is what I based my choice on. I am really happy and can say that my progression has been above expectations.

BW: Two Golds and a Bronze medal at the Olympics, was that more than you hoped for?

EH: Yes, for sure. At least before the season started, that was more than I ever expected. It was almost an impossible dream to get to the Olympics. Getting to the Olympics as a guy from a private team is something that was almost unheard of. It was a huge achievement. But when you go to the Olympics for Norway, you know that you should be able to get some medals. The 10 km Skate where I came third was, to be honest a little bit disappointing; that was the only 10 km Skate that I did not win. At the same time, I got the opportunity to do the Team Sprint Relay that I did not expect. The Olympics were above expectations.

BW: How have the first couple of months back in biathlon been; a learning experience every day? EH: I’ve always been a biathlete. In one way, I knew everything, but in another, it has been a lot of a learning experience. I have taken major steps. My new coach has taught me a lot already. We talk the same language, understand each other and have this strategy since I did not shoot from November to May that we would build stone-by-stone. Since just the two of us work together some time, it is easy to get good habits and we do not rush anything. It has been more learning that I expected coming from a high level.

BW: What do you see as your biggest challenge?

EH: the biggest challenge is to become stable at the range. The skiing is more than good enough. To have these sessions where every time you shoot really good and get to the level that you can compete the whole season without big setbacks. That is the hard thing because I know that on my best days, I can win a World Cup tomorrow. But I can’t do that many times in a row. That is the hard thing about biathlon; everyone can shoot nine or ten in a sprint. Still, you have to do that regularly. That is the challenge for this year. I am not rushing it. I know it is not possible to be at Sturla’s level this year. If I can get to a nice shooting percentage this year, that will be a nice step.

BW: Do you remember your first biathlon experience, was it good, bad or funny?

EH: It was definitely fun, from a young age where I was a good shooter. It was so fun not only to go skiing but to get the challenge of shooting. I was a fan of both but to combine them was really special in those early years. I was a good shooter early and that gave me so much motivation. I have those childhood memories of lots of fun.

BW: Do you consider yourself a perfectionist when it comes to training?

EH: No, not really. I look at training quite simply so I do not care about the minor details. It is more like stacking day-by-day and year-by-year that you will become a lot better. But on the time between sessions and on the shooting range, I am trying to be more of a perfectionist, because it is important there.

BW: What do you do to wind down after a hard training day?

EH: I am one of those guys that does not do much more than train, eat, sleep. That is 99% of what I do from May 1 to April 1. In the evening, it is just get some dinner, watch some TV and just relax. But on some evenings a couple of times a month, I meet friends for dinner. I also train a lot with my buddies, so we do a lot of socialising when training also.

BW: How would you describe yourself in three words?

EH: Structured, determined and motivated.

BW: What would a dream 2026/27 biathlon season look like?

EH: The path to the World Cup is quite hard, since it has been so many years that I competed internationally. I do not have the IBU Qualification Points. My dream is to have a really good season opener and even if I win, I have to go to the IBU Cup as that is the rule. Then it is just to get the points to make the shortest path to the World Cup.

My dream is to win; I consider myself a sprinter since that is only two shootings. The second dream is to compete for the Sprint Red Jersey, win that, qualify for the World Championships and maybe win the sprint there. That would be my dream season, but maybe that is more than I can expect! Still, I definitely think this season already can be a really good one!

Photos: IBU/Archive, Nordic Focus, Einar Hedegart