Patrick Braunhofer from the Ridnauntal valley has established himself in recent years as a promising talent in the international biathlon world. Raised in a sports-enthusiastic family, he laid the foundation for his impressive career at a young age.
Already at the tender age of two or three, Patrick strapped on cross-country skis and took his first steps on the trail that ran almost directly past his parents’ house. He discovered biathlon around the age of five, when he made his first attempts at the shooting range. His first coaches were his parents, Isabella and Christian—both in leading roles within South Tyrolean biathlon—who supported and encouraged him with passion and expertise. “And they still do to this day,” Patrick emphasizes.
At the age of 16, Patrick made it into the junior national team, where he further developed his skills and deepened his love for biathlon. This early support, along with his ambition and tireless dedication to training, led to his first call-up to the A-national team in 2019—a major milestone in his still young career.
Sacrifices and Successes
In his limited free time, Patrick enjoys staying at home in the Ridnauntal Valley, where he takes in the natural beauty and the mountains. But his training schedule is demanding. During the summer, Patrick trains for three to four hours a day until early August, after which the intensity increases even further. His dedication—marked by many sacrifices—is clearly reflected in his achievements. In the junior ranks, he has already earned several medals, including bronze at the Junior European Championships, the Junior World Championships, and the Youth Olympic Games. These accomplishments have been important milestones in his rise and demonstrate his constant drive for improvement.