Dorothea Wierer

One of the world’s most successful biathletes

Dorothea Wierer, born on April 3, 1990, in Bruneck, is an outstanding biathlete who continues to leave her mark on the world of winter sports. She has took part in the Olympic Games three times, bringing home three bronze medals. At the World Championships, Dorothea has won 12 medals and has stood on the World Cup podium 63 times. Since 2007, Dorothea Wierer has been competing for the Italian national team. The gold in the Mass Start at the Östersund World Championships 2019 and the victory in the Absolute World Cup 2018/19 are among her greatest achievements. Dorothea is the first Italian woman, in the history of biathlon, who has reached this milestone.

Other impressive results are the medals she won at the 2020 Biathlon World Championships in Antholz/Anterselva: silver in the mixed relay, gold in the individual race, and silver in the Mass Start. At the end of the 2020/21 season, she dominated the rankings again and won the World Cup in the Mass Start. At the 2023 World Championships in Oberhof, Germany, Dorothea won the gold medal in the relay - a memorable moment for Italian biathlon - and the silver medal in the mixed relay. By reading our interview with Dorothea you can be revealed how and where she recovers from muscle fatigue and why "Doro" likes the good life.

"This is precisely why, for me, cross-country skiing is a sustainable winter sport."

“Sustainability begins with getting to the track. The start of the cross-country skiing network can be reached by public transport almost everywhere in the province. An important factor for sustainability is that instead of clearing trees, cross-country skiing trails are laid through the natural landscape. Moreover, cross-country skiing is an affordable winter sport, just look at the costs of cross-country skiing tickets and equipment.

Cross-country skiing is a relaxing and stress-free experience, as queuing at the ticket office or crowded huts are virtually unheard of when it comes to cross-country skiing. "

Cross-country skiing trails

EXPA/Stefan Adelsberger via VOIGT Fotografie

After the competitions...

"After some intense months of competitions that take me all over the world, I like to come back to South Tyrol to regenerate and relax. I then like to spend time with my parents in my home valley of Antholz. I am particularly drawn to springtime in South Tyrol. Radein/Redagno, for example, also known as the starting point for hikes in the UNESCO World Heritage Bletterbach area, and the Weisshorn mountain are places I enjoy visiting in spring. But what’s are my favourite places in spring? The Seiser Alm Alpine Pasture and visiting Alpine huts belonging to close friends. We then enjoy hiking to the Schlernhaus mountain hut, choosing the circuit via the Tierser Alpl refuge and the Rosszahnscharte mountain."

That spring feeling

These are dishes I just can’t say “no” to...

"Unfortunately, during the competition season I don't often get to indulge in South Tyrolean cuisine. And whenever I do, I have to be careful not to eat too much of it ;-). After all, it's hard for me to say no to traditional Bauernmuas with honey. This particular dish doesn’t fit into my nutritional plan. Pressknödel (pressed dumplings) are strongly associated with my home valley; I prefer to eat them with a bit less butter. I really have a weakness for Schlutzkrapfen, a filled pasta dish , especially the whole-grain variety. For dessert, I find Apfelschmarrn simply irresistible. Especially after an intense day of training, this shredded pancake dish with apple is a perfect calorie booster."

South Tyrolean recipes

As soon as the winter is over...

"As soon as the roads are cleared from snow, I get on my racing bike. When I practice my second favourite sport, I can cover long distances and enjoy the awakening of spring in South Tyrol. I'm really fond of cycling along the South Tyrolean Wine Road and around the Montiggler See and Kalterer See lakes. I even take a longer route sometimes, like the one to the Mendelpass. Then I cycle on the Gampenpass and get to Meran/Merano or Lana and head back to Kaltern/Caldaro. Spring it's also the perfect time for more Alpine tours: the bike tour to the Würzjoch pass in the Villnösstal/Val di Funes valley or the "Klammerrunde” route in the Pustertal/ Val Pusteria valley are just a few."

Cylcling and Mountainbiking