Charvátová, the 2020 World Championship bronze medalist faced a challenging transition last spring, moving from the women’s national A team to the B team and significantly individualising her training. However, this experienced athlete benefited from the change. Customizing her training plan, combined with switching ski brands, resulted in a very solid winter season.

Return to the A Team

Although her performance at the World Championships in Nové Město didn’t meet her expectations, her 8th place in Ruhpolding was among the top results for Czech women biathletes last season. Rightfully, she was reinstated in the A team this year, participating in 14-day training camps each month with the team while maintaining some solo training sessions. Additionally, she started working with a new coaching staff. The women’s team is now led by Italian Luca Bormonili, who focuses on physical preparation, and Lukáš Dostál, specializing in shooting.

In August, the entire biathlon team participated in the Summer World Championships on roller skis in Estonia. Lucie excelled both in skiing and, more importantly, in shooting. Despite the venue’s windy conditions, which she doesn’t favor, she earned a bronze medal in the supersprint, motivating her to continue pushing forward.

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Lucie, the new season is just around the corner, but how would you evaluate last winter?
The season came after many significant changes, all of which turned out great. Although the season’s start and the World Championships in Nové Město weren’t as successful as I’d hoped, I maintained a solid standard throughout, consistently earning points in the overall World Cup standings.

The 8th place in Ruhpolding was fantastic—any top-10 finish in biathlon is valuable, even for seasoned athletes. I was particularly pleased with my 32nd place in the overall World Cup rankings and qualifying for the season-ending mass start race.

Last year, you made a significant change to your equipment, switching from Fischer to the lesser-known Kästle brand. Why?
In recent years, Fischer’s ski design became lighter, which no longer suited me. I felt I needed to use a higher cadence to gain speed, conflicting with my skiing style. I prefer skis that allow me to apply more power and glide efficiently.

Kästle skis, made in Nové Město na Moravě, provide excellent stability and durability, even if they don’t immediately feel fast. I’m proud to represent a Czech brand globally.

You’ve become known for not complaining about skis, unlike many others last season. What’s your perspective?
Instead of focusing on waxing, I prioritized how my skis performed in different conditions. Last season was revolutionary, being the first with fluoride-free waxes, and it’ll take time for teams to fully adapt to waxing strategies.

Your last race of the season marked an impressive milestone—200 World Cup starts. Congratulations! Does it feel like you’ve been in biathlon forever?
I’ve now earned the title of “oldest Czech biathlete,” so yes, it feels like time has flown by! I often reflect on my first season, drawing inspiration from those early days. However, even with 200 starts, I sometimes feel I still have more to learn.

Read more: From cross-country skier to biathlon star

Outside of Sports

As an economics graduate and now an MPA degree holder, do you know what career you’ll pursue after sports?
The dual-career challenge is tough for every athlete. I’ve always believed I’d retire only once I had a clear plan, but I still don’t know. Losing part of my professional life to sports makes it hard to plan, and I often feel unprepared.

While I enjoy expanding my education and have completed programs in management and sports diplomacy, I’m not keen on coaching. Instead, I’d prefer to stay in sports in a role utilizing my economic background and practical experience.

You also work part-time as an accountant. How do you balance training, work, and school? Do you ever find time to relax?
Studying has always been a way to unwind from training, and accounting serves a similar purpose. Though I’ve promised not to enroll in more schools, part-time work fills time I’d otherwise spend on my phone or watching movies. It’s sometimes stressful, but it’s valuable preparation for life after sports.

Which upcoming races are you most excited about, and how do you feel about the World Championships being held in Lenzerheide?
I’ve only raced in Lenzerheide once, last December. I spent three weeks training there this year. While I love the location and sunny Alpine views, the course isn’t ideal for me. Its long climbs and tricky sections aren’t my strength, but I’m looking forward to the challenge.

2024/2025 Biathlon World Cup Calendar

Kontiolahti World Cup – November 30 – December 8, 2024

• November 30, 13:15 CET: Single Mixed Relay (W+M)
• November 30, 15:45 CET: Mixed Relay (W+M)
• December 1, 13:45 CET: Men 4×7.5km Relay
• December 1, 17:25 CET: Women 4x6km Relay
• December 3, 16:20 CET: Men 15km Short Individual
• December 4, 16:20 CET: Women 12.5km Short Individual
• December 6, 16:20 CET: Men 10km Sprint
• December 7, 17:10 CET: Women 7.5km Sprint
• December 8, 14:30 CET: Men 15km Mass Start
• December 8, 17:10 CET: Women 12.5km Mass Start

Hochfilzen World Cup – December 13 – 15, 2024

• December 13, 11:30 CET: Women 7.5km Sprint
• December 13, 14:20 CET: Men 10km Sprint
• December 14, 12:30 CET: Women 10km Pursuit
• December 14, 14:45 CET: Men 12.5km Pursuit
• December 15, 11:30 CET: Women 4x6km Relay
• December 15, 14:15 CET: Men 4×7.5km Relay

Annecy – Le Grand Bornand World Cup – December 19 – 22, 2024

• December 19, 14:20 CET: Men 10km Sprint
• December 20, 14:20 CET: Women 7.5km Sprint
• December 21, 12:30 CET: Men 12.5km Pursuit
• December 21, 14:45 CET: Women 10km Pursuit
• December 22, 12:30 CET: Men 15km Mass Start
• December 22, 14:45 CET: Women 12.5km Mass Start

Oberhof World Cup – January 9 – 12, 2025

• January 9, 14:20 CET: Women 7.5km Sprint
• January 10, 14:20 CET: Men 10km Sprint
• January 11, 12:30 CET: Women 10km Pursuit
• January 11, 14:45 CET: Men 12.5km Pursuit
• January 12, 12:20 CET: Single Mixed Relay (M+W)
• January 12, 14:30 CET: Mixed Relay (M+W)

Ruhpolding World Cup – January 15 – 19, 2025

• January 15, 14:10 CET: Men 20km Individual
• January 16, 14:10 CET: Women 15km Individual
• January 17, 14:20 CET: Men 4×7.5km Relay
• January 18, 14:20 CET: Women 4x6km Relay
• January 19, 12:30 CET: Men 15km Mass Start
• January 19, 15:00 CET: Women 12.5km Mass Start

Antholz – Anterselva World Cup – January 23 – 26, 2025

• January 23, 14:30 CET: Women 7.5km Sprint
• January 24, 14:30 CET: Men 10km Sprint
• January 25, 13:00 CET: Women 10km Pursuit
• January 25, 14:55 CET: Men 4×7.5km Relay
• January 26, 12:05 CET: Women 4x6km Relay
• January 26, 14:45 CET: Men 12.5km Pursuit

Lenzerheide World Championships – February 12 – 23, 2025

• February 12, 14:30 CET: Mixed Relay (W+M)
• February 14, 15:05 CET: Women 7.5km Sprint
• February 15, 15:05 CET: Men 10km Sprint
• February 16, 12:05 CET: Women 10km Pursuit
• February 16, 15:05 CET: Men 12.5km Pursuit
• February 18, 15:05 CET: Women 15km Individual
• February 19, 15:05 CET: Men 20km Individual
• February 20, 16:05 CET: Single Mixed Relay (W+M)
• February 22, 12:05 CET: Women 4x6km Relay
• February 22, 15:05 CET: Men 4×7.5km Relay
• February 23, 13:45 CET: Women 12.5km Mass Start
• February 23, 16:05 CET: Men 15km Mass Start

Nove Mesto Na Morave World Cup – March 6 – 9, 2025

• March 6, 18:20 CET: Men 10km Sprint
• March 7, 18:20 CET: Women 7.5km Sprint
• March 8, 14:55 CET: Men 12.5km Pursuit
• March 8, 17:40 CET: Women 10km Pursuit
• March 9, 13:50 CET: Men 4×7.5km Relay
• March 9, 16:45 CET: Women 4x6km Relay

Pokljuka World Cup – March 13 – 16, 2025

• March 13, 15:15 CET: Women 15km Individual
• March 14, 15:15 CET: Men 20km Individual
• March 15, 13:05 CET: Mixed Relay (W+M)
• March 15, 15:45 CET: Single Mixed Relay (W+M)
• March 16, 13:05 CET: Women 12.5km Mass Start
• March 16, 15:45 CET: Men 15km Mass Start

Oslo Holmenkollen World Cup – March 21 – 23, 2025

• March 21, 13:30 CET: Men 10km Sprint
• March 21, 16:15 CET: Women 7.5km Sprint
• March 22, 13:45 CET: Men 12.5km Pursuit
• March 22, 15:50 CET: Women 10km Pursuit
• March 23, 13:15 CET: Men 15km Mass Start
• March 23, 15:45 CET: Women 12.5km Mass Start

Additional information about the Biathlon World Cup can be found HERE

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