Biathlon: Patrick Braunhofer wants to break new ground this winter
Fully integrated into the Italian biathlon team’s World Cup squad for the last two seasons, Patrick Braunhofer has learnt a great deal from contact with the best athletes in his national team, as well as from other nations. Already assured of a place in Kontiolahti (Finland) at the start of the winter, the first stage of the 2024/2025 season, the biathlete from Val Ridanna (Italy) is putting the finishing touches to his preparations.
” It’s going really well. We’ve worked really well this summer, we’ve really done our best. I’m also happy with the people I’ve been working with,” he tells Fondo Italia. Obviously, we’ll only be able to see whether my positive feelings are confirmed when the races start. I feel less tired than in the past, my body has adapted to these workloads.
Forty-ninth in the overall rankings last winter, the Transalpine nevertheless finished on the podium once, in the men’s relay at the Soldier Hollow stage in the United States. “Last year was exciting. I think I had a good season, in which I found greater consistency. I can still improve and the aim is to do so next year,” he says. I feel like I’ve matured a lot. I think that continually taking part in the World Cup helps a lot.
Buoyed by an ever-improving squad featuring youngsters Tommaso Giacomel and Didier Bionaz , as well as the experienced Lukas Hofer, Patrick Braunhofer has no intention of stopping there: “The season is still a long way off, so I’m concentrating exclusively on training and not getting sick. The main objective will be to qualify for the World Championships in Lenzerheide and improve on what was achieved last season,” he says.
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