Wānaka athlete Campbell Wright has won the silver medal in the 10km sprint of the IBU World Championships in Lenzerheide, Switzerland. 

The biathlete, who learned his skills at Wānaka’s Snow Farm and now represents the USA, took second place behind the great Norwegian J.T. Boe, who is retiring at the end of this year, pushing French star Q.Fikkon Maillet into third place.

Campbell’s medal is only the fourth World Championship medal the USA have ever won; it is the first time they have won a sprint medal and their first medal since 2017. 

“We need to remember that New Zealand and the Snow Farm helped them do it,” Pisa Alpine Charitable Trust (owners of the Snow Farm and Merino Muster Ltd) trustee John Burridge said.

Campbell on the podium in Switzerland.

Campbell, who holds dual citizenship in New Zealand and the USA, joined the US biathlon team in July 2023.

John said the race conditions were “brilliant with sunshine but cold almost windless conditions”.  

After starting 34th in a 99 place interval start event Campbell was in the lead for much of the race, John said, after making a very fast start.

“[He] backed that up with clean shooting at both prone and standing. He also did not fade on the last lap but watching him skiing the last sections before the finish straight his skiing lost shape as he was pushing his limit.  

“He clearly wanted that podium,” John said.

Campbell posted on social media after the race that he had “no words, just tears”.

Watch a video of the race here.

PHOTOS: Supplied