Biathlete Ester Wolff is no longer just one of many participants on the track – her strength lies in the balance between high athletic goals, inner harmony and independence. In a conversation with LSM.lv, Wolff revealed that it was mental growth and precision in the shooting range that helped to start the Olympic season successfully, despite the absence of the head coach during the preparation phase.
IN BRIEF:
Wolff’s performance in the first stages of the World Cup shows a successful start to the season – entering the TOP30 allowed her to soon achieve her own goal. “I would say the season has started unexpectedly well,” admitted Wolff.
The athlete is especially pleased with her stability in shooting, which used to disappoint her in the past, but this season has become one of her strengths. A vivid proof of this was the pursuit race of the Esteshund stage, where Wolff won 23rd place with excellent accuracy. “I’ve gained confidence and I hope to keep these statistics throughout the season,” she added.
Without undue pressure
Wolff’s growth in shooting can be explained by a change of priorities in the training process – if previously the main focus was on physical preparation, then this season the focus has been shifted to the firing line. Cooperation with the Ukrainian coach Vasila Mikshin, whose approach is drastically different from the one used before, made a significant contribution. “She [trenera mācītā] the technique really came in, and I can see that it is working,” noted the biathlete.
Ester Wolf in the shooting range of the World Cup in Esteshund in December 2025 Photo: Petr Slavik
Along with the technical progress, Wolff also emphasized the mental aspect – thanks to last year’s experience in the World Cup circuit, she learned to better control anxiety and find inner peace.
“I don’t put a lot of pressure on myself and simply enjoy the opportunity to compete at a high level at such a young age. I understand that no one expects anything too much from me, and I have nowhere to rush. There is still quite a lot to do,” explained the woman from Cesi.
Compared to the previous season, Wolff has changed her attitude towards failures – instead of reproaches, there has been a targeted evaluation of mistakes, which helps not only to identify problems, but also to eliminate them.
On the other hand, the tension of the competition is dispelled by confidence in her abilities and a clear awareness that biathlon is her right place.
In the first competition, the stress was still felt, especially in the shooting range, where you have to adapt to the surrounding noise and the situation that all the athletes are shooting at the same time. However, with each subsequent start, this feeling diminished and Wolff was better able to concentrate on her work. “I generally try to block out all the background noise,” she stated.
In addition, the start of the season was hampered by health problems, which caused Wolff to miss the second World Cup stage in Hochfilzen. She had positive feelings on the track in Esteshund – a place well known to the Latvian from the 2025 World Junior Championship, when she managed to finish in the top five in the individual distance.
Ester Wolff at the World Cup stage in Esteshund in December 2025 Photo: Petr Slavik
“I really liked the terrain of Esteshund, the track, the mountains and its dynamics, so I felt comfortable there,” added Wolff. Although health problems have affected her physical form, the biathlete remains optimistic and predicts that her speed will only increase as the season progresses.
During the preparation phase, the usual rhythm of the women’s national team was disrupted by the absence of head coach Ilmar Bric.
“It was a big negative for this season and the training process,” admitted Wolff. The athletes themselves had to take on greater responsibility – the work continued based on the previous system, but in the summer Wolf’s mother Ieva Cederström came to help.
During the competition, national team coach Agnese Caune provides organizational support, but she is not directly involved in planning training. Wolfa trains separately with Baiba Bendika and Elsa Bleidel, while Caune works with sisters Sanita and Sandra Buliňas.
The Latvian biathlon team is fragmented due to the different training conditions and the lack of common camps.
This is also felt by Wolff, who evaluates the atmosphere of the team in two ways – there is a lack of unity on the scale of the entire team, whereas there is a very close connection in the daily work with Bendik and Bleidel.
“It’s my second family. I feel like I’ve spent more time with them this year than my real family,” laughs Wolff.
The second Olympic start
This season, Wolff deliberately avoids strictly formulated goals, bringing the competition process to the fore. What is important for her is not to mark another start in the calendar, but to truly enjoy what she is doing. At the same time, the athlete does not hide her ambitions at the junior level – the task at both the world and European championships is to fight for medals.
The Milan-Cortina Olympic Games will be the second in Wolff’s career, but this time the approach to them is completely different.
Esther Wolff at the World Championships in Lenzerheide in February 2025
Photo: Petr Slavik
Her debut in Beijing at the age of 16 in cross-country skiing has seemed almost unbelievable for a long time, because what she experienced was more like a dream than a conscious start in the world’s biggest sports event.
This time, Wolff is going to the Olympics with a clear plan and goal not only to participate, but also to show the best performance.
In addition, this event will be complemented by a real competitive atmosphere, which Beijing was unable to experience due to the restrictions of the pandemic.
“There were no people at all, and I felt as if I was competing in some Latvian matches. It was interesting, but I did not get the experience that is characteristic of the Olympic Games. I am definitely looking forward to what will happen in Italy, and I hope I will get that Olympic feeling,” explained the biathlete.
The support of the family in person will also be of great importance, which will allow Wolff to live the Olympic moments together.
The track of Anterselva, where the Olympic competition will take place, is still unfamiliar to Wolfa, however, what she heard from other athletes makes her prepare for a serious test. The track is located on a high hill, and it is particularly difficult to enter the shooting range, which requires a more careful approach.
Wolff’s main goal for the Milan-Cortina games is to arrive in optimal shape, but she believes that a place in the TOP30 is a realistically achievable result. “If I can show my maximum, I will be satisfied with any place,” emphasized the athlete, adding that self-sacrifice is more important to her than a specific position in the results table.
The Milan-Cortina Winter Olympic Games will take place from February 6 to 22. Latvia will be represented in the biathlon competition by eight athletes – the experienced Andrejs Rastorgujevs and Baiba Bendikas, as well as Estere Wolfa, Sanita Buliņa, Annija Keita Sabule, Renārs Birkentāls, Rihards Lozbers and Edgars Mise.
