Underdog from Down Under scratches closely on first World Cup Podium

"Oh mate, I’m super psyched,” says the 22-year-old Campbell Wright, laid-back as his character simply is.

Despite missing out on his first ever World Cup podium by just four seconds, the born Kiwi competing for the US Biathlon team, saw no reason for any hard feelings about his fourth place in the first sprint race of the new season on Friday, in Kontiolahti (Finland).

“Where I'm from, getting fourth at a World Cup is great. If I'd be upset about that, I think I'm an idiot,” Wright says, laughing.

“I still have lots of time to try to get a podium and a win.”

Switching Nations, Gaining Momentum

Was it simply a lucky day for the underdog, who swapped nations from New Zealand to the US in 2023 to find better training opportunities? Whoever followed the race is likely to delete the appendix underdog in front of his name.

Wright went into the race right behind the strong Norwegian Sturla Holm Laegreid and closed the gap right after the first shooting, when Laegreid shot a mistake, while Wright stayed clean.

 “When I left the shooting range, I saw him maybe five seconds in front”, Wright recalls. “I knew that if I try to catch him, I could blow up, but surprisingly, I did not.”

Staying calm to clean all five targets in the standing shooting after hauling on the lap was the base for his top-4 result. “Honestly, when I looked through the sight, there was a lot of movement, so I was a very lucky boy to hit them all.”

Wright’s decision to switch allegiances seems to have paid off already in his second season competing for the US.  

“I always said, if I'm not in the top ten by the time I'm 25, I'll retire”, the Kiwi said, laughing.

“Now I'm already there at 22, so I'm happy to be in front of my plan.”

A key part of that wavering success?

“The team spirit - it is one of the biggest strengths we have as a team”, says Wright, who trains in the US-training base in Lake Placid with part of the team throughout the summer.

“Outside our trainings, we’re still good mates, it really feels like living, not just training together and I believe that makes life so much easier.”

Inspiring a New Generation of Underdogs

Despite his laid-back attitude that is warmly welcomed within the team, Wright knows what it takes to take on the European powerhouses. As the first athlete ever from the Southern Hemisphere to become a Junior World Champion in 2023, the 22-year-old wants to be a role model for other young athletes from non-traditional biathlon countries.

“If you're not from a big nation, it's so easy to think it's impossible to close the gap and compete with the Germans or the Norwegians, but you just need to remember we're all born the same”, Wright says. “If you're willing to train and you have some natural talent, you can definitely be there. Go train hard, go race hard and learn to come last - It's part of the journey.”

Right at the start of only his fourth season in the World Cup circuit, Wright seems to have gotten even closer to a real breakthrough. While it’s bittersweet for him to strip of his beloved Kiwi-race suits for the ones with the Stars and Stripes, the pride in his heart remains the same.

“Happy Birthday dad”, were his words to the camera when he crossed the finish line.

“I knew this would make him happy, I’m not in New Zealand to get him a birthday present. It’s the middle of night there right now, but he’ll wake up and watch the replay hopefully.”

Birthday present delivered, a top-6 result already from the list, which goals remain for the season? “I think one podium would be great. I think I can just go back to New Zealand after that, if I’m being honest. It wasn’t today, so I guess I need to race a few more races.”

Text: Annika Saunus