Biathlon
Biathlon: “This year was a total catastrophe” — German athlete Johanna Puff vents after non-selection
November 24, 2025 / SPORT1
German biathlete Johanna Puff, 23, was left off both the World Cup and IBU Cup rosters and expressed her frustration on Instagram, calling her year a “total catastrophe.” Selection for the Östersund World Cup opener went instead to Marlene Fichtner and Anna Weidel, with established names like Franziska Preuß and Selina Grotian already secure. Puff, who battled health issues in 2024/25 and finished 78th overall in the World Cup, also missed parts of preseason and the German Championships due to illness.
German Ski Federation to introduce the Laura Dahlmeier Award
November 24, 2025 / Sportschau
The German Ski Federation (DSV) will create a Laura Dahlmeier Award to honor the late two-time Olympic biathlon champion, who died in July 2025 in a climbing accident. Starting next year, the prize will recognize an outstanding DSV junior athlete and will be open to all winter disciplines, with the approval of Dahlmeier’s family.
Biathlon: Sweden names team for Östersund World Cup opener
November 24, 2025 / SVT Sport
Sweden has announced its squad for the biathlon World Cup season opener in Östersund this weekend. Linn Gestblom returns to the World Cup after about 650 days away, while men's debutant Melker Nordgren gets his first start at home. Head coach Johannes Lukas is holding one women’s spot open with Anna-Karin Heijdenberg, Johanna Skottheim and Sara Andersson vying for selection based on final training in Östersund.
German biathlon World Cup roster finalized for Östersund opener
November 24, 2025 / Sportschau
Marlene Fichtner and Anna Weidel have been awarded the final two places on Germany’s women’s team for the Biathlon World Cup opener in Östersund. Franziska Preuß, Selina Grotian, Vanessa Voigt, Julia Tannheimer and Janina Hettich-Walz were already pre-selected, while Sophia Schneider will start in the IBU Cup after health issues. The season begins on 29 November with the relays; the men’s lineup includes Justus Strelow, Philipp Nawrath, Lucas Fratzscher, Simon Kaiser, Philipp Horn and Danilo Riethmüller.
France’s biathletes under scrutiny: After the Simon drama, another scandal may be looming
November 23, 2025 / Sportschau (ARD)
Following the legal saga and suspension of French star Julia Simon for credit card fraud, the French women’s biathlon team faces fresh controversy. According to the report, authorities are looking into a potentially manipulated rifle, raising new integrity concerns around the squad. The video segment outlines the timeline since Simon’s case and what could happen if equipment tampering is proven.
Biathlon: Good news from Franziska Preuß
November 20, 2025 / SPORT1
Germany’s overall World Cup winner Franziska Preuß returned from a hand injury by winning two closed‑door test races in Obertilliach against international fields. She topped a sprint (9/10 on the range) ahead of Lisa Hauser and Lidia Zhurauskaite, then won a shortened individual (18/20) over Ema Kapustová and Dunja Zdouc; Campbell Wright won both men’s tests. Preuß, who had surgery in September, is set for Germany’s World Cup opener in Östersund, while teammates compete for remaining roster spots.
Just before the season starts: German biathlon prospect switches nationality
November 20, 2025 / SPORT1
German biathlete Iva Moric, long part of the DSV youth setup, has switched allegiance to Croatia ahead of the 2025/26 season. The 21-year-old, born in Bad Reichenhall with Croatian family roots, is already listed by the IBU as Croatian and confirmed the move on Instagram. Moric, a triple medalist at the 2022 Junior World Championships in Soldier Hollow, seeks a fresh start after her progress stalled compared to peers like Selina Grotian and Julia Tannheimer.
Biathlon: Frenchman Perrot spoils Norway’s season opener
November 17, 2025 / Sportschau
In pre-season biathlon races held in Geilo (NOR), Idre Fjäll (SWE) and Bessans (FRA), France’s Eric Perrot and Émilien Jacquelin were the only non-Norwegians to challenge Norway’s men, with Perrot even winning Sunday’s mass start in Geilo. Norway’s women, led by Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold and Maren Kirkeeide, impressed, while Germany’s team used the Idre races for internal World Cup selection, highlighted by Janina Hettich-Walz’s podium on her return from maternity leave and multiple German top‑ten finishes. The results serve as tune-ups ahead of the World Cup opener in Östersund.
Biathlon: Two German World Cup winners to miss season opener
November 17, 2025 / Sportschau
Germany will start the 2025/26 Biathlon World Cup in Östersund without World Cup winners Johannes Kühn and Roman Rees after internal trials in Idre Fjäll. Lucas Fratzscher and Simon Kaiser won the men’s selection races, joining Justus Strelow, Philipp Nawrath, Philipp Horn, and Danilo Riethmüller on the team. Women’s selections conclude in Ruhpolding; Franziska Preuß, Vanessa Voigt, Selina Grotian and Julia Tannheimer are pre-qualified, while Janina Hettich-Walz impressed with a sprint podium behind Elvira Öberg and ahead of Hanna Öberg in Idre.
Germany names men’s roster for Östersund World Cup opener without Kühn and Rees
November 17, 2025 / SPORT1
Germany will start the biathlon World Cup season in Östersund without veterans Johannes Kühn and Roman Rees. The DSV selected Justus Strelow, Philipp Nawrath, Lucas Fratzscher, Simon Kaiser, Philipp Horn and Danilo Riethmüller after domestic trials and Idre races, while Kühn, Rees, David Zobel and junior Leonhard Pfund are headed to the IBU Cup. The women’s roster will be finalized after a Ruhpolding qualifier, with Franziska Preuß, Selina Grotian, Vanessa Voigt and Julia Tannheimer already preselected; the season’s peak is the Olympic races in Antholz in February.
Biathlon: Sebastian Samuelsson hampered by wind — throws away the win
November 16, 2025 / SVT Sport
Sweden’s Sebastian Samuelsson was leading the men’s race but missed four shots in the final standing stage after severe wind gusts, dropping to seventh. Martin Ponsiluoma finished fourth and described the windy range as “incredibly tough,” saying he should have dialed his sights more. Germany swept the podium with Lucas Fratzscher winning ahead of David Zobel and Johannes Kühn.
Biathlon: After debut success — the national team’s plan for Linn Gestblom
November 16, 2025 / SVT Sport
Swedish biathlon coach Johannes Lukas outlines a tailored plan for Linn Gestblom after her standout comeback at the Swedish season opener in Idre. Speaking on Vinterstudion, Lukas says the team has a special setup for managing Gestblom’s progression following her impressive return. The piece is a video segment restricted to viewers in Sweden.