Sturla Holm LAEGREID

Historical Results

Listening to music, playing guitar, reading books, watching movies.

Athlete, Student

Nanotechnology - Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences (Hamar) (suspended studying in 2019 to focus on biathlon)

Partner, Chloe Levins. Father, Tor. Mother, Ingrid Kristin Holm. Older brother, Sindre. Younger sister, Sara.

Norwegian, English, Spanish

Baerums Skiklub

National: Egil Kristiansen (NOR), Siegfried Mazet (FRA)

Uncle Frode Kippe (Football): Norwegian international with eight caps. Played the majority of his career with Lillestrom in Norway's Eliteserien. With the third-highest number of Eliteserien appearances with 441, he won the Norwegian Cup twice (2007, 2017) and the Kniksen Award (Defender of the Year) in 2007. Signed to English Premier League side Liverpool from 1998-2002, but made only two EFL Cup appearances, spending his time out on loan with Stoke City. Retired in January 2021.

Partner Chloe Levins (Biathlon): Representing USA, she competed at the Lillehammer 2016 Winter Youth Olympic Games, finishing fourth in the pursuit. Participated at six consecutive Youth/Junior World Championships (2015-20), and competed in one race (individual) at the 2021 World Championships in Pokljuka.

Sister Sara Laegreid (Biathlon): Competed nationally in her youth.

Cross-country skiing: National-level junior. Competed at the 2015 National Junior Championships, finishing eighth in the 15km free.

2020 IBU Cup in Martell (Sprint - 17th, Mass Start 60 - 1st)
2020 World Cup in Nove Mesto (Sprint - 13th, Mass Start - 15th)

Mid 2018: Contracted mononucleosis, missing the entire 2018/19 season.

2020

Started watching biathlon on television as a child and began shooting at age 10 (because of Norwegian age restrictions). Participated in many sports, focusing on biathlon at age 16. (Biathlon World Magazine, Issue 57)

"I think biathlon is the most attractive sport I know: it’s very challenging and never gets outdated. There is always something to learn, so you always have a chance to improve in every part: physically, in terms of shooting, and mentally. Even if you are one of the best, I think that this sport will continue to evolve and in 10 years’ time, we will see a very different level. I am looking forward to the future of biathlon." (Biathlon World Magazine, Issue 57)

With a view to the Olympic Winter Games in Beijing, he wants to improve his performance from the previous season. “I want to keep developing myself. Learning something new every day makes me proud." (www.biathlon-news.eu, 6 Jun 2021)

The training sessions at the shooting range were the most fun for him. Mental training helped him on the way to his successes last season. “I take great care of my psyche. That helps me to find focus in the race. I visualize the races in order to react calmly in pressure situations.” He works with a mental coach, but also tries to do many exercises himself in everyday life, for example meditating regularly. (www.biathlon-news.eu, 6 Jun 2021)

Winning four gold at his first World Championships in 2021 in Pokljuka: "It's completely wild. Four golds is completely sick. You hear it: "four golds." I had dreamed of a medal, this surpasses my wildest fantasies. I had not even dared to dream about this." (www.aftenbladet.no, 21 Feb 2021)

First World Cup win at the season opener (Kontiolahti individual) in November 2020. "Before the season started, my goal was to get some more top-10 places. So I was really shocked when I actually crossed the finish line as the winner. Of course, I was very happy, but still more surprised. Now, after a few races, I still don’t fully understand what happened, because this victory is something I absolutely did not expect from this season." (Biathlon World Magazine, Issue 57)

Five-time Olympic biathlon gold medallist and 13-time world champion, Martin Fourcade (FRA). "When he got into a race, he always had a new plan." (sueddeutsche.de, Feb 2021)

Meditates before races, practicing breathing techniques and visualisations. (sueddeutsche.de, Feb 2021)

"When I was 12-years-old, I had a coach who used to say that 'slow is smooth and smooth is the same fast'. This expression has stuck
with me." (Biathlon World Magazine, Issue 57)