Who is Campbell Wright?
Where is Campbell Wright from?
Campbell Wright was born and raised in Wanaka, New Zealand.
How old is Campbell Wright in 2026?
Wright will be 23 years old at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. He was born on May 25, 2002.
When did Campbell Wright start competing in biathlon?
As a child, Wright grew up neighboring the Snowfarm, a ski area in New Zealand dedicated to cross-country skiing. His neighbor, Mary Lee, introduced him to cross-country skiing at 10 years old, and organized his introduction to ski racing. When he was 14, Wright spent time in a European hostel surrounded by biathletes and was inspired to make the change.
Did Campbell Wright previously represent New Zealand before joining Team USA?
Having grown up in New Zealand, Wright represented the Kiwis throughout the early part of his career, achieving success at various competitive levels.
When did Campbell Wright switch to compete for the U.S.?
Wright made the decision to switch his allegiance from New Zealand to the United States following the 2022 Beijing Olympics, citing the need for more intensive training and funding. He officially began competing for the United States in 2023.
What makes Campbell Wright one of the most promising young biathletes in the world?
With a strong junior career under his belt, Wright has enjoyed a rapid ascent in the senior biathlon rankings. Wright became the first American to earn the U23 globe in the Biathlon World Cup, a trophy given to the top under 23 man biathlete in the world. At just 23 years old, Wright has a pair of world championship silver medals and is about to compete in his second Olympic games. Wright is seen as the best chance for the U.S. to end its Olympic medal drought in biathlon, as he continues to help put the U.S. biathlon team on the map.
What events does Campbell Wright compete in (sprint, pursuit, mass start)?
Wright competes in all the biathlon events, including the sprint, pursuit, mass start and relays. His strongest events are predicted to be the men’s 10km sprint, the 12.5km pursuit and the 15km mass start.
Campbell Wright’s Biathlon Career
What is Campbell Wright’s career timeline in biathlon?
Wright’s biathlon career began in 2016, when he made the switch from cross-country skiing. In the first few years of his career, Wright spent time on the IBU Junior Cup circuit and officially moved to the senior World Cup tour in the 2021 season. At 19 years old, Wright fought to a top-15 result at a 2022 World Cup race, which officially earned him a spot at the Beijing Winter Olympics.
After making his Olympic debut in 2022, Wright began the process of integrating with Team USA, though he competed under the New Zealand flag for the final time during the 2022-23 season. He capped his time with the Kiwis with a gold medal at the 2023 Junior World Championships.
During the 2023-24 season, Wright officially began competing under the American flag, scoring 216 total World Cup points and finishing with a top-30 ranking in the individual, sprint and pursuit disciplines.
However, nothing compares to Wright’s electric 2024-25 season. In his second season with Team USA, Wright scored a whopping 455 World Cup points. He finished the season with his first ever senior medals at the 2025 World Championships, cementing his status as a rising star and officially qualifying for the 2026 Winter Olympics.
How did Campbell Wright perform at the 2022 Beijing Olympics for New Zealand?
Wright made his Olympic debut at the 2022 Beijing Games. While competing under the New Zealand flag, he finished 32nd in the 20km individual and 75th in the 10km sprint.
What are Campbell Wright’s World Cup and world championship results?
Wright began competing on the World Cup circuit during the 2021 season. So far, he has logged a handful of top-10 finishes, including a 4th-place finish in a sprint race. At the world championships, he has won medals at both the junior and senior levels.
How did Campbell Wright transition to representing the United States in 2023?
Because Wright was born to two American parents, he grew up holding dual citizenship and an American passport. After being contacted by a member of USA Biathlon, Wright was able to leverage his dual citizenship and make the transition to Team USA.
What makes Campbell Wright’s skiing and shooting combination unique?
Wright switched to biathlon when he was 16 years old, so his shooting skills initially lagged behind his skiing skills. However, due to his superior racing skills, he realized he didn’t have to score perfectly out on the range, but just had to hit enough targets to be competitive. He now says his racing and shooting abilities are equal.
Campbell Wright’s Road to 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics
Will Campbell Wright compete at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics for Team USA?
Wright officially has met the qualification criteria for both Team USA and the 2026 Winter Olympics. Though the official roster confirmation is expected in January 2026, Wright is a predicted lock to represent the United States at the Olympics at his second Games.
Could Campbell Wright become the first U.S. man biathlete to earn a medal at the Olympics?
At the 2026 Winter Games, Wright could become the first ever American to win an Olympic biathlon medal. His best chances are predicted to be in the men’s 10km sprint, the 12.5km pursuit and the 15km mass start.
How is Campbell Wright performing in the 2025–26 IBU World Cup season?
Wright has looked strong to start the 2025-26 season, recording top-10 finishes in each of his disciplines.
Campbell Wright in Competitions
What are Campbell Wright’s biggest career highlights in biathlon?
At the 2025 World Championships, Wright rocketed to the top of the international conversation with a pair of silver medals in the sprint and pursuit categories, his first-ever medals in a senior competition. He also has a gold medal from the junior worlds.
How many top-10 finishes does Campbell Wright have on the World Cup circuit?
So far in his career, Wright has finished in the top 10 more than 20 times, with that number continuing to rise.
Has Campbell Wright earned medals at the IBU Junior World Championships?
Wright capped his junior career with a triumphant gold medal in the sprint race at the 2023 Junior World Championships in Shchuchinsk, Kazakhstan.
What are Campbell Wright’s strongest events (sprint, pursuit, or mass start)?
Wright’s strongest events typically are the sprint and the pursuit — those are the two events he earned silver medals in at the 2025 Biathlon World Championships.
How does Campbell Wright rank in IBU World Cup standings?
As of December 16, Wright currently is ranked 10th in the overall IBU World Cup standings. His best event ranking is 6th in the pursuit category, followed by 11th in the sprint.
Who is Campbell Wright’s coach?
Wright is coached by U.S. Biathlon coaches Armin Auchentaller and Emil Bormetti.