Philipp Horn fulfilled two dreams last season: a podium finish in the World Cup and competing at the Winter Olympics. In an interview with Biathlonworld, he explains why he has mixed feelings about the Olympic mass start race and how he is already planning for life after his career.

Biathlonworld: Philipp, you’ve just had the most successful season of your biathlon career. Your third place in the sprint at Hochfilzen was your first World Cup podium finish. On top of that, you competed at the Winter Olympics. What have you learnt this season?

Philipp Horn: I’ve learnt that things never go perfectly in biathlon. The Olympics and a podium finish in the World Cup were major goals that I managed to achieve. I’d been working towards them for a long time, and I’m all the happier that it’s worked out now. But not everything went to plan. That’s just part of the game.

BW: What was your experience of the Winter Olympics in Antholz?

PH: I was thrilled right from the start. When I walked into the stadium on the first day and saw the Olympic rings, that was my very own magical moment. I looked forward to the races every single day. However, I can’t compare the Games in Italy with any others, because these are the only ones I’ve experienced so far.

BW: How often do you still think back on your fourth-place finish in the mass start race?

PH: In the weeks that followed, I often found myself thinking about the race – with mixed feelings. I’m proud of my fourth place. It was one of my best results of the season. On the other hand, it annoys me that I was beaten in my speciality. Quentin Fillon Maillet was simply the better rider that day.

BW: At the end of an Olympic cycle, many athletes bring their careers to a close. Why did you decide to carry on?

PH: Before last season, I wouldn’t have been able to say that I’d carry on. But I realised just how much fun biathlon still is for me and how much I enjoy going to training. It’s simply not the right time yet to hang up my rifle. By May at the latest, that had become clear to me. On top of that, we’re a really good bunch, both in the training group in Oberhof and in the national team. We motivate each other, and that really lifts the whole team.

BW: At 31, you’re one of the more experienced athletes. How do you feel about this role?

PH: This role suits me down to the ground. I’m happy to take on responsibility, whilst still having plenty to learn myself.

BW: You’ve already secured your World Cup place for the start of the season. How does that make you feel?

PH: For me personally, this means I can prepare with greater peace of mind. I can feel the coaches’ confidence in me. The qualifying races in November have always been a source of immense pressure for me. Unfortunately, this has often affected my shooting performance, meaning I haven’t been able to qualify. Of course, I also know that it counts just as much a few weeks later in the World Cup.

BW: What are your sporting goals for the coming winter?

PH: I want to get back on the podium, but I also know that a good race alone won’t be enough. Everything has to come together. I also want to deliver more consistent results throughout the season. I can’t afford any more slumps. If I manage that, a place in the top 15 in the overall standings is a realistic prospect.

BW: Together with your wife Antonia, you want to open a hotel for athletes in Oberhof. Over the past two years, you’ve spent a lot of time on the building site. How do you balance that with competitive sport?

PH: Our hotel has cost us a lot of time, energy and money. Nevertheless, we’re proud of how much we’ve already achieved, and we’re looking forward to seeing the finished result. We’re aiming to open before the end of this year. I enjoy the hands-on work, but I must admit it hasn’t always been easy to balance it with my sporting commitments. Looking back, the past two years have been my best yet in terms of sport. So perhaps it’s good for me to have something other than biathlon on my mind.

BW: How will you be involved in the hotel yourself?

PH: Unfortunately, when I’m away competing in winter, I can’t look after the day-to-day running of the hotel. My wife and my mother-in-law take care of that. In future, though – particularly once my sporting career is over – I’ll be pitching in myself. I’m really looking forward to that.

Photo: IBU Photopool