Foto: Stephan Bögli/Swiss-Ski

Sebastian Stalder caused a sensation last winter with several top ten placings and raised hopes for the home World Championships from 12 to 23 February 2025.

The new season is about to begin. What are your expectations and goals for this winter?

Of course, I would like to be able to build on last winter's achievements. Last season, I was almost always able to ensure a podium position, which is my main goal this year. It would be great if that happened at the home World Championships in Lenzerheide ;)

In biathlon, the rankings can change until the end of the cross-country ski run or at the shooting range. How do you mentally prepare for the races? What is going through your mind during the race?

You really must never give up, as even the best athletes often weaken during the last shooting.

The evening before the competition, I try to mentally prepare by using visualisation techniques. I particularly focus on the section from the start up to the shooting range, then I often spend a little more time thinking about the last shot. During the race, I try to clear my head as much as possible. There's no room for thoughts while shooting. I can barely remember my best races because I just switched off.

Over the past few years, you have been constantly working your way up to the top of the international scene. What were your keys to this success?

Biathlon has become way more popular in recent years. To be at the front, you now just need a top ten time. In the past, you could still win races at the shooting range, today you can only lose them because the hit rates have become so high and the shooting times have gotten so fast. On average, you need to have fired your five shots in 25 seconds. 

You are among the world elite at the shooting range. In which areas can you improve to bring your skiing to the same level?

I've been able to improve enormously in the last two years, which has been made possible by very efficient training. Our coach, Kein Einaste, has also brought a new training philosophy to the team. I respond really well to these training methods and have made good progress again this summer. At the moment, we are still working on my ski technique, so I can certainly get a lot more out of that by simply being stronger on the skis while also skating more efficiently.

Do you have an insider tip you would be willing to share with us? 

Recovery is part of successful training. It's important for me to listen to my body and then make the right decisions. In terms of nutrition, I attach great importance to a quick carbohydrate intake. Especially after hard workouts, I have at least one carbohydrate protein shake and a banana straight after getting changed. Raisins are also recommended after training. As soon as the body has absorbed the energy, the recovery phase begins and you are ready for the next training session more quickly.

Three hours before a competition, I always eat rice with jam or finely puréed tomato sauce. Depending on my appetite, I might also have a boiled egg. My stomach tolerates this very well and it's proven its worth. But after a season with almost 40 competitions, I'm also happy to be able to eat something different again.