She cultivated friendships with three individuals prior to meeting Dahlmeier.
Laura Dahlmeier, the 31-year-old double Olympic biathlon champion from Germany, tragically lost her life in a mountaineering accident on Laila Peak in the Karakoram mountains on July 28, 2025.
Dahlmeier, a passionate and experienced mountaineer, had undertaken numerous expeditions throughout her life. Her close friendships and shared experiences in mountain climbing were significant to her. One of her closest friends, Franz-Xaver "Xari" Mayr, died in an avalanche while ice climbing in South Tyrol's Langental in January 2018. Another tragic loss was the death of her former boyfriend, Robert Grasegger, in an avalanche during an expedition in Patagonia in January 2022. These losses deeply affected Dahlmeier, as she had conquered many challenging tours with her friends.
The accident occurred during the descent while Dahlmeier was abseiling. A flyover by a rescue helicopter confirmed that she did not survive the accident. Her rope partner, Eva Marina Krauss, witnessed the incident. Krauss recounted that a huge rock hit Dahlmeier, and she was thrown against the wall, after which she did not move.
Laura Dahlmeier's death has sent shockwaves through the sporting world, far beyond Germany's borders. Despite her wishes, no further actions were taken to remove her body from the mountain. Even for the best, a certain level of risk remains in mountain climbing. Dahlmeier herself was aware of this, as she openly discussed the unpredictable nature of the mountains in her book "Wenn ich was mach, mach ich's gscheid," published in 2023.
In this book, Dahlmeier also discusses the emotional strain caused by the loss of her friends and her former boyfriend. She was open about the significant emotional challenges these losses presented. The losses have undoubtedly left a lasting impact on the biathlon community and beyond.
Despite the tragic circumstances, Dahlmeier's legacy as a double Olympic champion and a passionate mountaineer will continue to inspire many. Her book serves as a testament to her love for the mountains and the emotional impact they had on her life.
[1] News Article 1 [2] News Article 2 [3] News Article 3
[1] In the wake of Laura Dahlmeier's untimely demise, the sports world mourns the loss of a remarkable figure, particularly within the biathlon community. [2] Amidst the sorrow, Dahlmeier's love for sports such as hockey, golf, and tennis; games she often played with her friends, remains vivid in the memories of those who knew her best. [3] Rather than forgetting her, Dahlmeier's legacy continues to thrive, as her love for sports may have been an equal force to her passion for mountain climbing.
