“He has a great future ahead of him”

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Niklas Hartweg announced himself with a bang. Zack, first time on the World Cup podium in the first race of the winter – second to Kontiolahti (Sd). And he stops with a bang: Thanks to a great race last season at Holmenkollen (15 km mass start) and another second place, the 23-year-old from Schwyz secures the overall victory in the U25 classification.

Never before has a Swiss managed to win a classification in the Biathlon World Cup. And it is the sensational end to a season that was not expected. Because only a year ago, the name Hartweg was mainly in the high double-digit range on the rankings.

Now the Wollerauer stirs the stage as eleventh overall in the World Cup, together with his buddy Sebastian Stalder, who has also made a huge performance leap (17th overall in the World Cup).

SRF biathlon expert Matthias Simmen believes it is the “impressive high-level consistency” that has made Hartweg a popular contender for so long to win the ranking of the best U25 athletes.

“He has the mental strength it takes”

Like Stalder, Hartweg is now not only one of the best shooters in the world, he has also improved in terms of running – even if there is still plenty of room for the absolute top positions. Simmen thinks Hartweg can take this next step in the coming years.

The emerging Swiss could “play an important role” at the home World Cup in Lenzerheide in December, but especially at the 2025 home World Cup in the same place. Under the leadership of a “very mature” Hartweg, as Simmen says: “Niklas has the quality to cross the line at the decisive moment. With his efficiency on the shooting range he has the necessary base, but he also has the mental strength that necessary for that.”

Simmen believes, “He’s got a bright, big biathlon future ahead of him.” Success in the U25 standings could be just the beginning.

Source : Blick