Egil Gjelland grew up in Voss, the home of many world class biathletes, and started doing biathlon at the age of 15.

His greatest triumphs have come on Norway's relay team, where he was a regular feature for several years, thanks to his ability to keep his cool and deliver faultless shooting.

In the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City, he won the gold medal on the relay, together with Ole Einar Bjørndalen, Halvard Hanevold and Frode Andresen.

He won one race in the Biathlon World Cup, the pursuit in Östersund on 17 December 2004.

They live on her home farm, Skjelbreid, in Fusa in western Norway.