Ruhpolding affects everything — from Olympic momentum to team hierarchies and mental strategies under pressure. Olympic champion Arnd Peiffer explains what truly matters now.

The BMW IBU World Cup arrives in Ruhpolding on the back of an intense and emotionally charged week in Oberhof, where the competitive dynamics shifted once again. One of the defining stories was Tommaso Giacomel’s extraordinary performances, seemingly fuelled by the tribute to Sivert Guttorm Bakken. Such emotional and physical exertion inevitably demands a huge amount of energy, and from experience, the risk of illness can be slightly higher after phases like this. However, with a well-timed break and careful management, it is also possible to prevent setbacks and sustain performance over the coming weeks.

Johan-Olav Botn’s illness during the Christmas holidays raised understandable questions, but his ability to return strongly should not be underestimated. He possesses an exceptional training base, allowing him to regain a high level quickly after an enforced pause. Importantly, Botn has already proven himself this season. Previously considered a fast skier with inconsistent shooting, he demonstrated in the first trimester that he can also be a top-level marksman. In that sense, relinquishing the yellow bib due to illness may even work in his favour, enabling him to focus more clearly on building form toward the Olympic peak rather than defending a lead week after week.

Beyond Giacomel and Botn, Eric Perrot remains a serious candidate in the Total Score race. Despite not yet delivering full consistency on the shooting range, he sits third overall, which underlines his potential. If he finds peak form and stability, he has everything needed to challenge for the yellow bib.

Team Germany left Oberhof with renewed confidence. The skiing performances of the men were particularly encouraging, and Franziska Preuss showed she is back among the world’s best after a difficult December. There was a tangible sense in Oberhof that a German athlete could reach the podium at any time — whether in individual races or relays — and that belief provides a powerful boost heading into Ruhpolding and, further ahead, toward the Milano–Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games and the crucial competitions in Antholz–Anterselva.

Elvira Oeberg’s composed approach in Oberhof offered an interesting insight into race-day psychology. Asking coaches not to provide information during the competition can help an athlete stay fully focused on internal cues rather than external stimuli. Personally, I adopted a similar strategy, especially in individual races, as it allowed me to concentrate entirely on my own performance. In pursuits, the challenge is greater because the race situation is more visible, but not knowing whether one is gaining or losing a few seconds per lap can prevent disruptive thoughts. Filtering information is a skill in itself, and many athletes actively avoid scoreboards, stadium announcements, or even use ear protection to block out distractions.

Olympic relay selections are another key topic at this stage of the season. In practice, final decisions are often made very late — sometimes only the day before a race — based on fitness, shooting form, and confidence in specific relay roles. Such decisions unquestionably affect team dynamics, especially in deep squads like Norway’s, where strong athletes may miss out. Transparent and honest communication is essential to prevent demotivation and to keep the entire team aligned. Managing expectations ahead of the Olympics is particularly challenging, as external pressure is immense and missed opportunities can be deeply painful. Realistic goal-setting, mental preparation, and support from sports psychologists or mental coaches play an increasingly important role in helping athletes navigate this phase.

Ruhpolding presents its own unique demands. The course is characterised by frequent transitions between climbs and descents, making it difficult to establish a steady rhythm. Success here requires quick adaptability: short, intense efforts uphill, brief recovery phases, and immediate readiness for the next climb. Athletes with a dynamic 2–1 skating technique — those who can accelerate rapidly — tend to have a clear advantage on this track.