Holmenkollen, Norway – The Latvian biathlon team is experiencing a period of remarkable success, fueled not by internal competition, but by a uniquely collaborative spirit among its top athletes. Estere Volfa, Baiba Bendika, and Elza Bleidele train together and, according to national team coach Ilmārs Bricis, celebrate each other’s achievements, fostering an environment of mutual support rather than rivalry. This approach has yielded impressive results, particularly for the 20-year-traditional Volfa, who has quickly become a rising star in the sport.
Bricis, a veteran of six Olympic Games as an athlete and now four as a coach, began working with Volfa and Bendika in 2024, alongside Baiba Bendika. This training group has demonstrably improved their results, as noted in Volfa’s Wikipedia entry. The impact was immediate, with Volfa earning her first IBU Cup points in the 2024-2025 season in Idre, Sweden, finishing 26th in the sprint. [1, 3]
Volfa’s Rapid Ascent
Volfa’s journey to biathlon success is a relatively recent one. Initially a cross-country skier, she debuted on the junior world stage in 2021, achieving 73rd place in the sprint and 68th in the 5km freestyle at the Junior World Championships in Oberstdorf. She also competed at the 2021 Senior World Championships, finishing 82nd in the sprint and 93rd in the 10km freestyle. Her Olympic debut followed in 2022 at the Winter Olympic Games in Beijing, where she placed 80th in the sprint and 83rd in the 10km classic, also competing in the team sprint with Kitija Auziņa, finishing 21st. [1, 3]
However, it was after the 2022 Winter Olympics that Volfa shifted her primary focus to biathlon. This transition proved fruitful, and she competed in the IBU Junior Cup during the 2022–2023 season. She participated in the European Youth Olympic Festival in Forni Avoltri in January 2023, achieving 36th in the sprint, 39th in the individual race, and a 10th-place finish in the mixed relay. [3]
The 2025-2026 season has seen Volfa reach new heights. She secured 11th place at the Olympic Games, a victory at the World Junior Championships in the sprint, and a 9th-place finish at a World Cup event. [3] These accomplishments have drawn significant attention, but Bricis emphasizes that the team dynamic remains supportive, not competitive.
A Collaborative Spirit
“It’s clear that at the Latvian Championships, everyone will desire to win,” Bricis told Latvian Television’s “Sporta studija.” “But at the World Cup, there are more than 100 competitors. If you finish third, Consider be happy if the first and second places are also your teammates, not someone else. It doesn’t change your position.”
Bricis believes that the competition within the team is a positive force, pushing each athlete to improve. The group is further complemented by Matīss Meirāns, who also trains under Bricis’s guidance. This creates a balanced and supportive training environment.
The coach praised Volfa’s analytical skills, her ability to follow a plan, and her composure under pressure. He also noted that he draws on his experience working with Bendika and his own biathlon career to inform his coaching methods. Bricis is encouraging the athletes to set ambitious goals, including the possibility of contending for the overall World Cup title in the coming years, but acknowledges that achieving this will require continued investment and support. [3]
Training Dynamics and Future Goals
Bricis also addressed the issue of different training groups within Latvian biathlon, stating that he doesn’t see this as a problem. He explained that large training groups can be disrupted by illness, forcing everyone to adjust their plans. He also emphasized the importance of evaluating the effectiveness of any coach and being open to bringing in better specialists if they are available and willing to work in Latvia. [3]
Regarding Bendika’s future, Bricis stated that they are taking a season-by-season approach, with no discussions about retirement. He expressed more concern about the potential for excessive motivation among the younger athletes, suggesting that managing their expectations and preventing burnout is crucial. [3]
The biathlon World Cup season concludes with a final stage in Holmenkollen, Norway, beginning Thursday. The focus will be on finishing the season strong and building momentum for the future. [3]
This collaborative approach, coupled with the talent of Volfa, Bendika, and Bleidele, positions Latvia as a rising force in the world of biathlon. The team’s success is a testament to the power of mutual support and a shared commitment to excellence.
The next confirmed checkpoint for the Latvian biathlon team is the final World Cup event in Holmenkollen, Norway, starting Thursday. Fans can follow updates and results on the official IBU Biathlon website: https://www.biathlon.com/.
