Elsa Tänglander is one of the most promising talents in Swedish biathlon. The 18-year-old, who initially won gold in the cross-country sprint at the Youth Olympic Games in 2023 and was crowned sprint world champion at the Biathlon Junior World Championships a few weeks later, is about to make a special debut.
The teenager has been nominated for the first time in the Swedish squad for the start of the IBU Cup in Obertilliach, Austria. “It’s a great feeling. That was one of my goals for this season, so I’m really happy,” Tänglander told “Expressen”: “I’ve been waiting for this for a while. But I’m also very nervous.”
In Austria there is “very big competition” waiting for the debutante. A special obstacle for the Swede: She still has to do some schoolwork around her first appearance in the IBU Cup. “But the teachers are very understanding. When I take part in a competition, I concentrate fully on it,” she explained with a smile on her lips.
Still haven’t decided between biathlon and cross-country skiing
Tänglander does not want to define a goal for her first races in the second biathlon league. “I want to feel like I’m driving in races that I’m happy with, especially when it comes to shooting. And feel like it’s working the way I saw it in training,” the Swedish young hopeful remains humble.
In 2023, Tänglander made history when she first won gold in the cross-country sprint at the Youth Olympic Games and a few weeks later was crowned sprint world champion at the Biathlon Junior World Championships. In the next few months she wants to take her next steps towards becoming a professional athlete – in both sports.
“At the moment I still have the feeling that I want to continue both, but you never know. I haven’t taken part in the first IBU Cup yet, so we’ll see how I feel afterwards,” she emphasized.