Biathlon
Biathlon: Linn Gestblom suffered heart palpitations – skipped interviews after the pursuit
December 14, 2025 / SVT Sport
Sweden’s Linn Gestblom experienced heart palpitations after finishing 26th in the women’s biathlon pursuit and did not pass through the mixed zone for media interviews. SVT’s reporter said she needed rest, and the Swedish team suggests she may skip next week’s World Cup in Annecy–Le Grand-Bornand. Expert Björn Ferry called the situation worrying; Gestblom had three misses in the final standing shooting after starting with three clean stages.
Biathlon: Norwegian star explains his unusual finish-line gesture: “A bull”
December 14, 2025 / SVT Sport
Norway won the men’s biathlon relay in Austria by a large margin, and Vetle Sjåstad Christiansen had time to make an unusual “bull” gesture as he skied to the finish. In a short post‑race interview, the 33‑year‑old explained the meaning behind the move while Norway celebrated a dominant victory. Sweden secured a podium in the same relay.
Rapid-fire Lisa Vittozzi dazzles in Hochfilzen pursuit
December 14, 2025 / Sportschau
Italy’s Lisa Vittozzi stormed from 14th to win the women’s pursuit at the Hochfilzen Biathlon World Cup, sealing victory with blisteringly fast, clean shooting across four bouts. Overall leader Anna Magnusson of Sweden finished second at +11.4 seconds, with Norway’s Maren Kirkeeide third, while Germany’s Anna Weidel briefly challenged for the podium before fading to tenth. Vanessa Voigt slid from seventh to 29th after very slow shooting and three standing penalties; other Germans finished outside the top 30.
Biathlon: Anna Magnusson takes second after thriller in pursuit in Hochfilzen
December 14, 2025 / SVT Sport
Anna Magnusson finished second in the women’s pursuit in Hochfilzen, extending her overall World Cup lead and earning a fourth straight podium. She shot clean in the final bout and battled Italy’s Lisa Vittozzi on the last lap, while France’s Lou Jeanmonnot fell out of contention with two misses. Elvira Öberg surged from 29th to fifth with the third‑best ski time.
Biathlon: Dominant Norwegian relay win – Sweden grabs podium
December 14, 2025 / SVT Sport
Norway won the men’s biathlon relay comfortably after a head‑to‑head with France, while Sweden surged from 12th to third thanks to strong legs from Martin Ponsiluoma and a flawless final shoot by Sebastian Samuelsson. Jesper Nelin struggled on the opener, but Malte Stefansson delivered solid work on his leg as Sweden clinched the final podium spot in a late fight against Germany and the USA. The result mirrors last week’s Östersund relay podium of Norway, France and Sweden.
Suvi Minkkinen’s huge pursuit charge impresses Kaisa Mäkäräinen – expert pokes Finland’s cross-country team
December 14, 2025 / Yle
Finland’s Suvi Minkkinen stormed from 49th to 13th in the Hochfilzen World Cup pursuit with 19/20 shooting, drawing praise from Yle expert and ex-champion Kaisa Mäkäräinen. Minkkinen sits sixth overall as Anna Magnusson leads the standings, while Finland’s women already have three biathlon podiums this season but none yet in cross-country skiing. Next up is Annecy–Le Grand-Bornand, a venue Mäkäräinen believes suits Minkkinen’s strengths.
Biathlon in Hochfilzen – Austria’s home World Cup ends without success
December 14, 2025 / krone.at
Austria’s team had a tough home Biathlon World Cup in Hochfilzen, failing to record a top‑15 in four individual races. Anna Gandler was the best Austrian in Sunday’s pursuit in 37th, won by Italy’s Lisa Vittozzi. The Austrian men’s relay slipped to 14th after three penalty loops by Fabian Müllauer, while Norway won the relay ahead of France and Sweden; the women’s relay placed 8th.
Penalty loop costs Germany a relay podium in Hochfilzen
December 14, 2025 / Sportschau
Norway dominated the men’s biathlon relay in Hochfilzen, winning comfortably ahead of France, while Sweden took third. Germany (Zobel, Nawrath, Horn, Strelow) finished fifth after an early penalty loop by David Zobel and further shooting issues, despite late chances to fight for the podium. The article includes reactions from the German team and notes that Norway prevailed even without the retired Bö brothers.
Vittozzi shines in Hochfilzen: first World Cup win in 21 months
December 14, 2025 / La Gazzetta dello Sport
Italy’s Lisa Vittozzi won the women’s pursuit at the IBU World Cup in Hochfilzen, Austria, claiming her first World Cup victory in 21 months after a year out with injury. Sweden’s Anna Magnusson finished second and Norway’s Maren Kirkeeide third, while Dorothea Wierer placed ninth. The article highlights Vittozzi’s emotional celebration and Italy’s solid day, which also included sixth in the men’s relay.
Biathlon legend Bjørndalen says he’s ashamed of Norway over Karoline Knotten ouster
December 14, 2025 / SPORT1
Ole Einar Bjørndalen sharply criticizes the Norwegian biathlon federation for removing Karoline Knotten from the national setup after she questioned training methods, saying it makes him “a bit ashamed to be Norwegian.” Despite being Norway’s second‑best woman in the World Cup standings, Knotten has to fund her own travel and training this Olympic season. Head coach Per Arne Botnan defends the federation’s decisions, while Knotten continues to race for Norway, including a runner‑up women’s relay in Hochfilzen.
Ole Einar Bjørndalen blasts Norwegian Biathlon Federation over Karoline Knotten case: “A bit ashamed to be Norwegian”
December 13, 2025 / NRK Sport
Ole Einar Bjørndalen criticized the Norwegian Biathlon Federation for how it handled Karoline Knotten after she was left off the national team despite being Norway’s second‑best woman in last season’s World Cup. National team boss Per Arne Botnan rejected the criticism, saying the federation has supported Knotten with medical services and weapons testing, while Knotten herself agreed with Bjørndalen that she has largely had to arrange her own training camps and logistics. The debate unfolded on the day Norway’s women finished second in the Hochfilzen World Cup relay, where Knotten performed strongly.
Swedes well-placed before the biathlon pursuit: “Can do anything”
December 13, 2025 / Sveriges Radio (Radiosporten)
Ahead of Saturday’s World Cup men’s pursuit in Hochfilzen, Italy’s Tommaso Giacomel will start in the lead after winning Friday’s sprint. Sweden’s Martin Ponsiluoma (6th in the sprint) and Sebastian Samuelsson (9th) are in striking distance, with expert Uschi Disl believing Samuelsson may be Sweden’s best podium hope. The men’s pursuit begins at 12:00, followed by the women’s relay at 14:15.