The bronze medalist from the Winter Olympics has decided to skip all national team gatherings.

“Recently, I have been reflecting a lot. I have concluded that the best thing for me is to train outside the national team and focus on my own needs,” says Vanessa Voigt. 

The 28-year-old from Oberhof was part of the German team that won bronze and defeated Norway in the mixed relay at the Winter Olympics this past winter, marking one of her strongest seasons. This decision comes after she was forced to withdraw from the World Championships and most of the World Cup in 2025.

Also Read: Biathlon World Cup: Calendar for the 2026/2027 winter season 

Voigt is now one of Germany’s strongest athletes following last year’s World Cup winner Franziska Preuss’s retirement during the Winter Olympics.

“I have had open discussions with the management, and we have found a solution. Now I want to make the most of the time I have left before the season and prepare as best as I can for the World Cup opening in Kontiolahti,” says Voigt in a press release on Monday morning.

Respecting the decision

The federation states that they respect and accept the biathlon star’s decision. 

“We have had honest conversations with Vanessa and found a good solution for the upcoming weeks. We will stay in touch leading up to the season start,” says national team coach Bernd Eisenbichler. 

In addition to her Olympic bronze this winter, Vanessa Voigt also won bronze in the same event at the 2022 Olympics, and she has four World Championship medals and 15 podium finishes in the World Cup, including two victories. 

The German women’s national team lost its head coach after the Olympic season. Sverre Olsbu Røiseland stepped down after four years in Germany. He is now the head coach for the Norwegian women’s national team.

The World Cup kicks off in Kontiolahti, Finland, from November 26 to 29, 2026.

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