Biathlon - The Ski Saga

Biathlon: ZDF sets successor plan after Laura Dahlmeier’s death

October 07, 2025 / SPORT1

Germany’s public broadcaster ZDF will not replace the late Laura Dahlmeier on its biathlon coverage. Instead, Denise Herrmann-Wick will serve as the sole on-air biathlon expert, with commentators Sven Fischer and Volker Grube and host Alexander Ruda continuing in their roles. ZDF sports chief Yorck Polus praised Dahlmeier’s legacy as an exceptional athlete and insightful TV analyst.

Biathlon: New romance buzz in Sweden as Elvira Öberg goes public with Oskar Brandt

October 03, 2025 / SPORT1

Swedish biathlon star Elvira Öberg has revealed her relationship with former biathlete and current team coach Oskar Brandt on social media. Expressen reports they have been together since early 2025 but chose to make it public now. The article also recalls past relationship headlines in the Swedish team, including Hanna Öberg and Martin Ponsiluoma, and notes Elvira’s split from longtime partner Axel Frost in 2024.

TV change in biathlon broadcasting on ARD

October 03, 2025 / SPORT1

ARD will alter its biathlon coverage for the 2025/26 season following the retirement of long-time commentator Wilfried Hark. Christian Dexne will commentate all races alone, with no immediate replacement in the booth, and expects this to be a transition year before a return to a two-commentator setup in 2026/27. Presenter Michael Antwerpes and experts Erik Lesser and Arnd Peiffer will continue to front the broadcasts, and one of the experts may occasionally handle mixed-zone interviews.

Dahlmeier’s manager “partly stunned, but above all angry” after online abuse following the biathlon legend’s death

October 03, 2025 / SPORT1

Sophie Schröder, manager of the late Olympic biathlon champion Laura Dahlmeier, wrote on LinkedIn about the difficult weeks after Dahlmeier’s fatal mountaineering accident in Pakistan. She condemned hurtful comments, misinformation, conspiracy theories and AI‑generated clips that violated facts, copyrights and personal rights. Schröder called for respect and empathy, said the team shared only necessary facts to protect Dahlmeier’s privacy, and reflected on unfinished plans and the need to look forward.

Coach on Hanna Öberg: “The best Hanna I’ve seen”

October 02, 2025 / SVT Sport

Swedish biathlon shooting coach Jean‑Marc Chabloz says Hanna Öberg’s pre‑season form is the best he has seen from her, despite a mild September illness that kept her from a high‑altitude camp in France. He praises her summer work on the range and in physical training, highlighting her strong performance at the Swedish summer biathlon nationals. The biathlon World Cup opens November 29 in Östersund, with SVT broadcasting all races.

Biathlete Sophia Schneider: Can a dental splint boost her Olympic bid?

September 20, 2025 / Sportschau (ARD)

Germany’s Sophia Schneider has struggled for years with neck and head pain that doctors now link to a jaw misalignment. After starting orthodontic Aligner therapy with sports dentist Siegfried Marquardt, her symptoms eased, and she is testing a sport performance mouthguard that may improve symmetry and speed. While the science is mixed, initial data from sprint tests in Ruhpolding suggest small gains that could aid her push toward Milan-Cortina 2026; she was part of Germany’s winning women’s relay at the Ruhpolding World Cup in January 2025.

Retrospective Olympic gold awarded to German biathletes from Sochi 2014

September 19, 2025 / Sportschau

The IOC Executive Board has reallocated the men’s 4x7.5 km relay gold from the 2014 Sochi Olympics to Germany’s team of Arnd Peiffer, Erik Lesser, Daniel Böhm, and Simon Schempp after Russian athlete Evgeny Ustyugov’s results from 2010–2014 were annulled for a biological passport doping violation. The decision follows Switzerland’s Federal Supreme Court rejecting Ustyugov’s final appeal. The IOC says the athletes may choose where to receive their medals, with the Milan-Cortina 2026 Games mentioned as a possible ceremony; France’s Martin Fourcade also gains an upgraded gold from the Vancouver 2010 mass start.

Biathlete Arttu Heikkinen to receive verdict today after accidentally shooting hunting companion

August 26, 2025 / Yle

Finnish biathlete Arttu Heikkinen is due to be sentenced today in the Kainuu District Court over a hunting incident in which his companion lost sight in one eye. Heikkinen, 21, is charged with aggravated causing of injury and a hunting offense, but says the shooting was an accident and that he was not negligent. Heikkinen is considered one of Finland’s top prospects and represented the country at last season’s Biathlon World Championships.

Johannes Thingnes Bø, biathlon legend, tries football after retirement — and scores on debut

August 08, 2025 / La Gazzetta dello Sport

Norway’s five-time Olympic biathlon champion Johannes Thingnes Bø, who retired in March at age 32, has joined sixth-tier Norwegian club Vinger VK and scored in his debut to earn a 2-2 draw against league leaders Kjellmyra. Bø said he played football with Stryn before biathlon took over his life and now wants to enjoy the sport again. The article recaps his extraordinary biathlon career — five Olympic golds, 23 world titles, and five overall World Cup globes — and notes he is the brother of Tarjei Bø.

Norway’s biathlon mastermind Siegfried Mazet to step down after the Milano-Cortina Olympics

August 08, 2025 / Eurosport Norway

Siegfried Mazet will leave his role as head coach of Norway’s men’s biathlon team after the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina. The Norwegian Biathlon Association confirmed the decision, with Mazet thanking the team after nearly a decade and indicating he will return to France. Federation officials and colleagues praised his precision, relationship-building and lasting impact on Norway’s dominance in recent years.

Laura Dahlmeier, Olympic biathlon champion, dies after rockfall on Pakistan’s Laila Peak

July 30, 2025 / La Gazzetta dello Sport

Former German biathlon star Laura Dahlmeier died after being struck by a rockfall while climbing near the summit of Laila Peak in Pakistan. Rescuers located her body by helicopter, but recovery was deemed too dangerous; per her previously expressed wishes and her family’s request, her body will remain on the mountain. Dahlmeier, 31, retired in 2019 after winning two Olympic golds, one Olympic bronze, and 15 World Championships medals, plus the overall World Cup title.

After Biathlon Scandal: Ex-Germany Coach Has New Job!

April 28, 2025 / Sport1

Former German biathlon coach Uros Velepec takes on a new challenge as head coach for the Polish team after retiring from the DSV. He aims to improve the Polish men's team, which has struggled in recent seasons, as he steps into this pivotal role ahead of the Olympic year.