Irwin, Wright Fifth in Pokljuka Single Mixed Relay

Deedra Irwin (Pulaski, WI/Army World Class Athlete Program) and Campbell Wright (Wanaka, NZL/Waiorau Nordic Skiing) raced to their best result as a single mixed relay duo in Pokljuka, SVN, crossing the line in fifth place, just +21.2 behind the victorious Swiss team. The result marked the top U.S. finish in a single mixed relay since Susan Dunklee and Sean Doherty raced to bronze in the 2021 Nove Mesto World Cup. 

“It felt awesome to finally have a top relay with Campbell,” said Irwin after the race. “It was something I knew we could do all season. The course was tough and the new snow definitely made it more interesting and variable. I'm really happy with my shooting performance today, it wasn't perfect but it was what we needed to stay in the race.”

Switzerland's Aita Gasparin and Niklas Hartweg took home their maiden single mixed relay victory, standing atop the podium with Sweden’s Johanna Skottheim and Jesper Nelin, and the Finnish pair of Suvi Minkkinen and Tero Seppala. 

Recapping the race: Leg one saw Irwin shoot clean in prone and need just two spares in standing, tagging off to Wright in 11th. Wright then went on to use just one spare in prone and clean his standing stage, holding the fastest ski time of the leg, to bring the U.S. up to eighth position at exchange two. Irwin’s second leg saw her clean in prone once again and hold herself to just one spare in standing to hand off to Wright in seventh for the final leg of the race. Using one spare in both prone and standing, Wright hit the gas on the final lap to move up to fifth place at the finish line. 

With this being the final single mixed relay of the 2024-25 season, it was a memorable performance from both athletes, and a sign of what the pair is capable of when the season kicks back up in November 2025.