Anna Gandler is one of the brightest young talents in biathlon. Now she has made a decision that is set to shape her season.

The 23-year-old Austrian has been making a name for herself on the World Cup circuit over the past seasons, combining solid skiing with increasingly reliable shooting, a combination that has made her one of the most exciting prospects in women’s biathlon.

Gandler has announced that she will spend the entire summer training in France, away from the Austrian national team setup. The move comes amid coaching and support staff changes at the Austrian biathlon program that have unsettled the team structure heading into the new season.

Read More: Open conflict in the national team: Successful coach resigns in protest

For Gandler, those changes were a decisive factor. Speaking to NordicMag, she was candid about her reasons:

“In Austria, there have been more major changes to the team in terms of coaches and support staff, and I’m not exactly thrilled about it. At the same time, Emilien [Claude] and I have been together for five years and we want to live together. With all the changes at the Federation, I’ve therefore decided to leave the Austrian national team to train in France. It’s been on my mind for a long time.”

Her partner, French biathlete Emilien Claude, trains alongside some of the sport’s biggest names, and Gandler described the opportunity in positive terms:

“It’s a big change and I feel that, without this decision, I wouldn’t be able to see Emilien anymore. What’s more, the best athletes train here! It’s brilliant for me to see how someone like Quentin [Fillon-Maillet] shoots. It’s really valuable. Even though I have to sort everything out myself, like booking the shooting range and my accommodation, it’s a great opportunity for me to become more independent, both in my career and in my personal life.”

Whether this summer in France will prove a turning point in Gandler’s career remains to be seen. But the ingredients are certainly there: top training partners, personal stability, and the freedom to take ownership of her own development.

Also Read: Austrian biathlon teams for season 2026/2027

Are you interested in biathlon? Click HERE and read more about it.

As a member of ProXCskiing.com, you get full access to all content on the site and live streaming of Ski Classics Pro Tour events with English commentary.

When you become part of one of the world’s leading XC ski communities, you will receive many exclusive offers all year round. 

REGISTER HERE AS A MEMBER