Recently there were hopes that the overall World Cup winner from 2023/24, Lisa Vittozzi, could finally celebrate her comeback soon. But now the shock: the biathlon superstar is ending the season early.
Bad news from Italy: The Italian ski association FISI announced on Wednesday morning that top biathlete Lisa Vittozzi will no longer be seen in a competition this winter. The decision was made in agreement with the biathlon team’s trainers and doctors.
The 29-year-old Vittozzi suffered a back injury in October, but she was able to recover from this problem until the end. But after training resumed, the pain returned – the drastic consequence: in the coming months, the ski hunter should withdraw completely and concentrate on her recovery.
Everything for the Olympics: Biathlon star Vittozzi wants to “avoid risks”
“I started the new season with great enthusiasm and the desire to perform at the top level again. Unfortunately, my injury forced me to take a break at a delicate moment and when I resumed training with greater intensity, I was able to – even if small – the stress that the trainers had prepared,” Vittozzi is quoted as saying in the statement.
It is not surprising that attempts are now being made to “avoid further risks”. The Italians are already looking ahead to the winter of 2025/26. Then the big highlight is in Milan/Cortina with the Olympic Winter Games, Vittozzi should be involved in the race for the medals for her home country. The Azzurri consider the 2026 Olympics to be the “real goal” of a four-year plan that began in 2022.
Lisa Vittozzi’s early end to the season comes as a surprise, as sports director Klaus Höllrigl had recently made slightly positive noises. The Italian only lacked “form”; initially only the World Cup in Oberhof was canceled. The plan was for the 29-year-old to celebrate her comeback in Ruhpolding.