Wright Hits First World Cup Podium, Second in Mass Start

In the final World Cup race before the 2026 Milano-Cortina Olympic Winter Games, Campbell Wright (Wanaka, NZL/Waiorau Nordic Skiing) delivered a sensational four-stage mass start to claim second place in front of a roaring crowd in Nove Mesto na Morave, CZE. The result marks Wright’s first career World Cup podium and his third career silver medal, following back-to-back silver medals at the 2025 World Championships in Lenzerheide, SUI.

“It was a great race,” said Wright post-race. "I enjoyed it a lot. Being in the Czech Republic is so, so fun.”

Shooting a near-perfect 19 for 20 on the range and posting the fourth fastest ski time of the day, Wright crossed the line just nine seconds behind France’s Eric Perrot. Perrot claimed the victory, with Norway’s Sverre Dahlen Aspenes rounding out the podium in third.

When asked about going head-to-head with Perrot, Wright answered: “It’s everyone’s dream, isn’t it? He’s one of the best biathletes in the world, and man, he makes shooting four zeros look easy. I promise you, it’s not as easy as he makes it look.”

All eyes now turn to the Olympic competitions in Antholz-Anterselva, ITA, beginning February 8. After repeatedly proving he can contend with the world’s best, Wright heads into the Games as a genuine medal threat, and a key figure in the pursuit of the first-ever U.S. Olympic medal in biathlon.