Simon Eder is the current Ironman of biathlon. His international career started when he won the 2002 IBU Junior World Championship Individual Gold medal. For context, that is 8,725 days ago! At age 42, Eder, reversed time in his 544th World Cup start this past weekend, shooting clean for 9th in the Annecy Le Grand Bornand Pursuit, his first Top 10 since March 2023.

Eder is not ready to slow down. His father and personal coach Alfred also picked up a Top 10 after age 40. Simon has always been brilliant on the shooting range, regularly closing 90%+ of his targets, but this season is shooting better than ever. His big goal a fifth Olympic Winter Games. “A huge motivator; Antholz is maybe the first time where an Olympics feels like home. It is just two and a half hours from my home. It would be great to finish my career with my family there.”

A few hours after his perfect pursuit, Simon answered our Five Burning Questions and revealed his Christmas plans.

Biathlonworld: What does it feel like to get back in the Top 10 in an individual competition for the first time since Oslo 2023?

Simon Eder: It was a big goal for me this season. Compared to my most successful seasons, it almost felt like being back on podium. Doing a good race in LGB with the amazing French crowd made it special.

BW: How hard was that last loop, or was it one of those days when everything was flowing and nothing seemed impossible?

SE: I just tried to keep up with Olli (Hiidensalo, age 34) and Philipp (Nawrath, age 32). That's beside attacking on your own, which is maybe the best tactic for the last kilometers.

BW: You have only missed five shots and shot clean four times in individual races so far, what is different from last season when your only perfect day was at Kontiolahti in November?

SE: It is not easy to answer. In my best seasons I could manage to shoot clean 10-15 times but I also had seasons with only one or two clean shootings. At the moment I really enjoy going to work, competing in the World Cup with my teammates and I try not taking it to seriously like I did sometimes in the past. Let’s call it the Campbell Wright effect!

BW: At age 42, what is the key to staying competitive. Is it mental focus, recovery or…?

SE: Having a family that still supports me in living the dream as a biathlete. Besides that, it is still the same things like 10 or 20 years ago. High quality in training, good recovery, passion, and having reachable goals like Top 10 rankings, qualifying for Milan/Cortina 2026 or making a relay podium.

BW: What does a day like this do for your confidence with your big goal of a fifth Olympic Games just 6 weeks away?

SE: It is just great when you see 30 weeks of training paying off, not only for me, especially for all the people supporting me as well. I am trying to be in the best shape possible in February.

Biathlonworld Bonus: Christmas is just a few days away; how will you and your family spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day?

SE: We will spend it at home in Saalfelden, with my wife, daughter and our parents.

As Simon said in an earlier interview, “I have four or five races each winter where I have a chance to be on the podium. That is a big part of my motivation. When I have zero mistakes, the podium is a possibility.” Not quite on the podium yet, but plenty of competitions remain and there are the Olympic competitions where a third Olympic medal would be an amazing way to round out an outstanding career.

Photos: IBU/Christian Manzoni, Nordic Focus, Jerry Kokesh