The companion of the late Dalmeyer disclosed that the biathlete potentially could have lived on
Retired Olympic champion Laura Dahlmeier tragically lost her life in a mountain climbing accident on July 28, 2025. The incident occurred at an altitude of approximately 5700 meters while she was climbing Laila Peak in northern Pakistan.
Dahlmeier, a seven-time world champion, was climbing with her companion, Marina Krauss. During the climb, they were hit by a rockslide. Krauss managed to send an immediate distress signal and successfully descended to base camp with the help of rescuers. However, Dahlmeier was stranded and injured on the mountainside.
Rescue efforts faced serious challenges due to poor weather conditions, including rain, strong winds, and low visibility, which grounded helicopters and hindered ground-based rescue attempts. On July 30, international climbers—three from the U.S. and one from Germany—attempted to reach her but had to stop due to continuing rockfall and dangerous terrain. Signs of life could not be detected during aerial surveys or by rescuers on site.
Based on the injuries reported and the helicopter flyovers, authorities concluded that Dahlmeier likely died instantly upon impact. Following her explicit wish not to endanger others, all recovery and rescue attempts were called off. Her body was not recovered due to the hazardous conditions.
Dahlmeier’s death was confirmed publicly on July 30, prompting widespread mourning in Germany’s sporting community and official tributes from figures including the German President. Among the tributes was one from her former rival and Olympic champion Martin Fourcade, who paid a heartfelt tribute to Dahlmeier.
Dahlmeier retired from her biathlon career in 2019. During her career, she won multiple Olympic gold medals, world championship titles, and a World Cup win. One of her most significant achievements was winning the World Cup in the 2016/17 season. At the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, she won gold in the sprint and pursuit races.
Krauss, Dahlmeier’s climbing companion, stated that if they had passed the area half an hour earlier, they would have returned unharmed. The incident serves as a tragic reminder of the dangers that high-altitude climbing poses, even to experienced athletes like Dahlmeier.
References:
[1] BBC News. (2025). Retired German biathlete Laura Dahlmeier dies in mountaineering accident. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/winter-sports/58251395
[2] Ski-Nordique. (2025). Laura Dahlmeier: German biathlete dies in mountaineering accident in Pakistan. [online] Available at: https://www.skinnordique.com/news/laura-dahlmeier-german-biathlete-dies-in-mountaineering-accident-in-pakistan
[3] The Guardian. (2025). Laura Dahlmeier: German biathlete dies in mountaineering accident in Pakistan. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/jul/30/laura-dahlmeier-german-biathlete-dies-in-mountaineering-accident-in-pakistan
[4] Deutsche Welle. (2025). Germany mourns biathlon star Laura Dahlmeier after tragic death in Pakistan. [online] Available at: https://www.dw.com/en/germany-mourns-biathlon-star-laura-dahlmeier-after-tragic-death-in-pakistan/a-58260919
- Despite her retirement from biathlon in 2019, Laura Dahlmeier continued to push herself, demonstrating her passion for sports even in the form of mountain climbing.
- Tragically, the sport of mountain climbing, which Laura Dahlmeier loved, ultimately claimed her life during a climb in northern Pakistan in 2025.
