Biathlon - The Ski Saga

Johan-Olav Smørdal Botn wins again in the Östersund World Cup sprint; Martin Uldal second

December 06, 2025 / Eurosport Norway

Norway’s Johan-Olav Smørdal Botn captured his second straight World Cup victory in Östersund, winning the men’s sprint with perfect shooting to retain the yellow leader’s bib. Teammate Martin Uldal also shot clean to finish second, with France’s Quentin Fillon Maillet third. Sturla Holm Lægreid (4th), Vetle Sjåstad Christiansen (6th) and Sivert Guttorm Bakken (7th) rounded out a dominant day for Norway ahead of Sunday’s pursuit races.

US biathlon secures best mixed relay result in four years

December 04, 2025 / Lake Placid News

Team USA finished sixth in the mixed relay at the IBU World Cup opener in Östersund, Sweden — the nation’s best result in the event since 2021 — with Maxime Germain, Campbell Wright, Chloe Levins and Deedra Irwin combining for the result. The U.S. men also placed fifth in the 4x7.5 km relay, their best since Soldier Hollow 2024, while the women’s relay took 16th to open the 2025–26 season.

Anne Bünemann de Besche switches to Denmark and targets a Milan–Cortina 2026 Olympic berth

December 04, 2025 / Eurosport Norway

Norwegian-born biathlete Anne Bünemann de Besche, 25, has changed allegiance to Denmark and is aiming for a wildcard spot at the 2026 Winter Olympics. After podiums at Norway’s summer biathlon nationals and solid form in early-season races, she plans to use IBU Cup and select World Cup starts to meet criteria before the January 18 selection deadline. Denmark has added Norwegian shooting coach Svenn-Arne Nordheim and struck a waxing partnership with Germany as it builds towards long-term growth in the sport.

Wierer returns to winning ways in Östersund World Cup opener; Giacomel 7th in men’s individual

December 03, 2025 / La Gazzetta dello Sport

Dorothea Wierer won the women’s 15 km individual at the IBU World Cup opener in Östersund, her first World Cup victory in two and a half years, edging Finland’s Leinamo by 0.3 seconds with fast skiing and trademark quick shooting. In the men’s 20 km, Norway dominated even without the retired Boe brothers as Johan‑Olav Botn led a 1‑2 with Martin Uldal; Italy’s Tommaso Giacomel placed seventh, best non‑Scandinavian. Lisa Vittozzi was 10th despite three penalties, with Michela Carrara 22nd; Sivert Bakken was fourth and Sturla Holm Lægreid fifth, while other Italians Elia Zeni, Didier Bionaz and Lukas Hofer scored points.

Sonja Leinamo shocks even Kaisa Mäkäräinen: “She has improved enormously since last year”

December 02, 2025 / Yle

Finland’s Sonja Leinamo, 23, took a surprise second place in the women’s individual race at the Östersund Biathlon World Cup, underlining her rapid progress since switching from cross-country skiing to biathlon in 2021. Yle expert and former overall World Cup champion Kaisa Mäkäräinen praised Leinamo’s big step forward, highlighting improved shooting consistency and strong ski speed. Mäkäräinen also noted Suvi Minkkinen’s form despite four misses that left her 15th, and lauded a strong overall day for the Finnish women with all entrants in World Cup points.

Biathlon: Finnish tears in Östersund – Sonja Leinamo denied shock win

December 02, 2025 / SVT Sport

In the women’s 15 km individual World Cup opener in Östersund, Finland’s Sonja Leinamo produced a stunning performance to finish second, just 0.3 seconds behind Italy’s Dorothea Wierer. It was only Leinamo’s second-ever top‑10, while France’s Camille Bened claimed a surprise third in only her fourth individual World Cup start. Sweden’s Hanna Öberg led the home team in fifth; many stars struggled with the windy shooting conditions.

Biathlon World Cup: from Wierer to the Öberg sisters, all the favorites

December 02, 2025 / La Gazzetta dello Sport

The article previews the women’s 2025–26 IBU Biathlon World Cup contenders for the overall Crystal Globe. It highlights Italy’s Dorothea Wierer and Lisa Vittozzi alongside top rivals such as France’s Lou Jeanmonnot, Germany’s Franziska Preuß, Norway’s Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold, and Sweden’s sisters Elvira and Hanna Öberg.

Preuß far off the pace as Wierer takes surprise win in Östersund

December 02, 2025 / Sportschau (ARD)

Dorothea Wierer won the season’s first women’s 15 km individual at the Biathlon World Cup in Östersund by three seconds over Finland’s Sonja Leinamo, with France’s Camille Bened third. Germany struggled in windy shooting conditions: Franziska Preuß finished 29th with four penalties, while Janina Hettich‑Walz was the best German in 17th. DSV sport director Felix Bitterling lamented 39 total team misses on a difficult day at the range.

Biathlon prospect Sara Andersson on fierce team competition: “A luxury problem”

December 02, 2025 / SVT Sport

Sweden’s Sara Andersson received late confirmation but ultimately secured a spot for the Östersund Biathlon World Cup opener. With eight women vying for six individual start places each week, she calls the selection squeeze a “luxury problem,” noting it pushes everyone to improve. The 22‑year‑old, last season’s junior mass start world champion, is targeting a strong start in the hunt for an Olympic berth, while SVT expert Mona Brorsson highlights the intense pressure within the team.

World Cup Östersund: Setback for German biathlon women as Wierer wins season-opening individual

December 02, 2025 / Sportschau (ARD)

Dorothea Wierer won the first women’s individual of the biathlon World Cup season in Östersund, Sweden. German athletes had a disappointing day, with Franziska Preuß and teammates finishing well back. The piece is a video recap from Sportschau summarizing the race outcome and German reactions.

Biathlon World Cup: Wierer opens her final season with a victory

December 02, 2025 / La Gazzetta dello Sport

Italy’s Dorothea Wierer won the women’s 15 km individual at the IBU World Cup opener in Östersund by 0.3 seconds in 43:08.0 despite two early shooting misses. Finland’s Sonja Lenamo was second with one penalty and France’s Camille Bened third; Lisa Vittozzi placed 10th. Wierer, 35, called it one of her hardest preparations and said she nearly didn’t start; with the win she dons the World Cup leader’s bib to begin her farewell season.

Biathlon, Italy starts World Cup with a bang: two podiums on opening weekend

December 01, 2025 / La Gazzetta dello Sport

Italy’s biathlon team opened the 2025–26 World Cup in Östersund with two podium finishes: in the women’s relay and the mixed relay. The article highlights the returns to top form of Lisa Vittozzi and Dorothea Wierer, the continued progress of Tommaso Giacomel, and the solidity of Lukas Hofer, contrasting this bright start with last season’s slow beginning. The next races in Östersund begin Tuesday with the women’s individual, which kicks off the overall standings chase.