Helen Hoffmann: Green Bib Winner Leads Germany’s Next Generation

If we were to compare the career of young German cross-country skier Helen Hoffmann so far, the most natural comparison within her discipline would be the final stage of the Tour de Ski, which climbs from Val di Fiemme to the summit at Alpe Cermis.

Like that relentless ascent, Hoffmann’s progress has been steady and upward. By age 22, in her first full World Cup season, she was already knocking on the door of the top ten and ultimately secured the Green Bib as the best U23 athlete in 2024–25. Raised in Oberwiesenthal, Saxony, she developed through the sports schools in Oberwiesenthal and Oberhof, building strong technical foundations with coaches who emphasized quality training and adequate recovery.

Her breakthrough moments came early: a 5 km skate bronze at the 2019 EYOF in Sarajevo, experience at the 2020 Lausanne Youth Olympic Games and Junior World Championships on home tracks in Oberwiesenthal, and a first Junior Worlds medal with bronze in the 15 km classic mass start at Vuokatti 2021. In 2022, she struck gold at Junior Worlds in Lygna (15 km skate mass start) and added a relay bronze with Germany.

Progress continued in the U23 ranks: gold at Whistler 2023 (10 km skate), gold at Planica 2024 (10 km classic), and triple gold at Schilpario 2025 (10 km skate). In the senior ranks, she came close to the top ten in the Lillehammer World Cup skiathlon and won her first senior medal at the 2025 World Championships in Trondheim—a relay bronze alongside Katharina Hennig, Pia Fink, and Victoria Carl.

Hoffmann describes herself as stronger in skate than classic, with a powerful “engine,” strong uphill capability, and good downhill skills. She’s working to improve sprint speed and classic technique, guided by coaches in Oberhof and Oberwiesenthal and a simple mantra: focus on high‑quality sessions, rest well, and “don’t do stupid stuff.” She enjoys soft conditions and demanding races.

On Germany’s cross‑country outlook, she sees a strong current team and excellent training infrastructure but notes future turnover after the Olympics; by comparison, biathlon currently has a broader athlete base. Looking ahead to Milano–Cortina 2026—pending qualification—she aims to target the 10 km skate and the skiathlon, and possibly the sprint. She’d also like to see 15 km and occasional 5 km individual races back on the World Cup calendar.

Off the snow, Hoffmann is easy‑going, loves music (Rammstein, Slipknot, Metallica), and enjoys concerts. Long term, she dreams of winning Olympic gold and claiming at least one overall World Cup title.

This interview text is credited to Paolo Romanò.