Laura Dahlmeier established a new standard in biathlon at the 2017 World Championships in Hochfilzen, Austria, where she secured a historic five gold medals. A versatile athlete from Garmisch-Partenkirchen, she transitioned from a decorated career as a customs officer and biathlete to professional mountain guiding before her life ended in a rockfall accident in Pakistan in 2025.
Early Development and Biathlon Rise
Born in 1993, Dahlmeier began biathlon training at age seven. She joined the Zoll-Ski-Team Germany, balancing her education with professional sports. Her early trajectory included three gold medals at the 2013 Biathlon Junior World Championships in Obertilliach. By the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, she gained experience on the world stage before achieving dominance in the 2016–17 season, where she claimed her first overall World Cup title.
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At the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, Dahlmeier became the first woman to win both the sprint and pursuit events at a single Games. Over her career, her medal count reached seven gold, three silver, and five bronze medals at World Championships. She concluded her professional biathlon career in May 2019, having secured two discipline World Cup titles and numerous podium finishes.
Post-Competition Pursuits
Following her retirement, Dahlmeier pursued academic and outdoor interests. She studied sport science at the Technical University of Munich and authored books, including a climate-themed children's publication. She also transitioned into mountain running, setting a course record at the 52-kilometer Karwendelmarsch in 2019. In 2023, she earned certification as a professional ski and mountain guide, performing rescue work with the Garmisch-Partenkirchen team.
Final Expedition
In July 2025, Dahlmeier traveled to the Karakoram range in Pakistan. After successfully summitting the Great Trango Tower on July 8, she turned her attention to Laila Peak. On July 28, while descending due to hazardous weather conditions, she was struck by a rockfall and sustained fatal injuries. She was buried in the Hushe Valley.
Fast facts
- Born: 1993, Garmisch-Partenkirchen
- Died: 28 July 2025, Hushe Valley, Pakistan
- Primary Sport: Biathlon
- Bavarian Order of Merit: 2021
- Professional Role: Customs officer
- Academic Pursuit: Sport science, Technical University of Munich
- Mountain Certification: State-certified ski and mountain guide (2023)
Questions readers ask
How many gold medals did Laura Dahlmeier win at the 2017 World Championships?
She won five gold medals at the 2017 World Championships in Hochfilzen.
What was the cause of Laura Dahlmeier's death?
She died in a rockfall accident while descending Laila Peak in Pakistan on 28 July 2025.
Achievements
- Bavarian Order of Merit — 2021
- Worked as customs officer, biathlete and cross-country skier
