Anna Gandler targets podium after solo biathlon preparation

Austrian biathlete Anna Gandler is aiming to reach the World Cup podium after preparing for the new season on her own in France, ORF reported. She is returning to the Austrian team and hopes to build on her performances from two years ago.

The 25-year-old said she had no regrets about training independently and had given everything over the summer. She said she made progress in technique, strength and shooting, though she did not want to read too much into recording the fastest time in a roller-ski race at the French championships.

Gandler trained alongside her partner, French biathlete Emilien Claude, and said they challenged each other. The summer also allowed her to tailor her training day by day, increasing or reducing the workload depending on how she felt. She said the training environment was crucial to performance.

She was ill once over the summer. Gandler said she would continue to avoid crowds and disinfect her hands frequently during winter, as she did last season. She added that she tries not to worry excessively about getting sick.

Gandler will continue her preparations in Finland and Norway. At the end of November, she is expected to begin competing either in the World Cup in Kontiolahti, Finland, or the IBU Cup in Idre Fjäll, Sweden.

She said she had limited contact with Austrian teammates over the summer and little contact with the team’s coaches and support staff. As competitions approach, she expects them to work together again.

Following Lisa Hauser’s retirement, Gandler said the Austrian women’s team did not need a single leader. She described the group as strong and young, naming Anna Andexer, Lara Wagner and Lea Rothschopf among its members. She said the team hoped to place athletes on the podium and had long viewed the relay as a major goal.

Gandler’s best World Cup results so far are fifth place in an individual race and fourth with the relay team.