Biathlon
Biathlon World Cup: Austria’s women 8th in relay; men disappoint in pursuit
December 13, 2025 / krone.at
At the Hochfilzen home World Cup, Austria’s women’s relay (Anna Gandler, Anna Andexer, Anna Juppe, Lisa Hauser) started promisingly but faded to 8th; Sweden won ahead of Norway and Germany. In the men’s pursuit, Simon Eder was the best Austrian in 30th with three penalty loops, while David Komatz finished 50th and Fabian Müllauer was lapped; Eric Perrot won from Tommaso Giacomel and Johan‑Olav Botn. Hauser and head coach Reinhard Gösweiner urged patience, with Austrians aiming to rebound in Sunday’s pursuit and relay events.
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Surging Olympic form: Maren Kirkeeide takes powerful podium in Hochfilzen sprint
December 12, 2025 / Eurosport Norge
Norway’s Maren Kirkeeide finished second in the Women’s World Cup sprint in Hochfilzen, shooting 9/10 and skiing the fastest among the top finishers. She was beaten by France’s Lou Jeanmonnot by 15.3 seconds, with Sweden’s Anna Magnusson third. It’s Kirkeeide’s first individual World Cup podium this season, boosting her case for Milano–Cortina 2026.
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Norwegian biathlete dejected after nightmare race: “The Olympic train has probably left”
December 12, 2025 / Eurosport Norway
Johan‑Olav Botn narrowly missed another World Cup podium in Hochfilzen, finishing fourth just 9.1 seconds behind winner Tommaso Giacomel. Vebjørn Sørum endured a disastrous sprint with four misses and 85th place, admitting his Milano–Cortina 2026 chances have likely vanished unless he produces dominant results in the IBU Cup and returns to the World Cup in top form. Several other Norwegians placed inside the top 20, including Sturla Holm Lægreid (5th) and Vetle Sjåstad Christiansen (8th).
Ponsiluoma just off the podium in Hochfilzen sprint after one miss: “Very happy”
December 12, 2025 / Sveriges Radio – Radiosporten
Martin Ponsiluoma finished sixth in the men’s biathlon World Cup sprint in Hochfilzen after a single miss in the final standing shooting; he hit 9 of 10 shots and was pleased with his performance. Sweden’s Sebastian Samuelsson, fast on skis but with two misses (one prone, one standing), placed ninth. Tommaso Giacomel won ahead of Éric Perrot and Philipp Horn.
Biathlon, Italy shines: Tommaso Giacomel wins Hochfilzen sprint; Dorothea Wierer fourth
December 12, 2025 / La Gazzetta dello Sport
Tommaso Giacomel claimed his second career World Cup victory by winning the men’s sprint in Hochfilzen, Austria, with clean shooting and strong skiing. The result lifts the Italian to third in the overall World Cup standings. On the women’s side, Dorothea Wierer finished fourth, adding to Italy’s standout day.
Biathlon: Elvira Öberg questions potential Russian return — “Should Russians travel around Europe with weapons?”
December 11, 2025 / SVT Sport
Swedish biathletes Elvira Öberg and Sebastian Samuelsson react to Russia’s plan to appeal the IBU’s suspension of Russian biathletes to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Samuelsson says it would feel strange to see Russians with rifles competing in Europe and stresses trust in the IBU’s rules, while Öberg also expresses confidence that the IBU will make the right decision. The piece contrasts differing federation policies, noting that some Russian and Belarusian cross‑country skiers are returning under FIS rules starting in Davos.
Biathlon: Russian federation sues to join Olympic qualification
December 11, 2025 / Kronen Zeitung (krone.at)
Russia’s biathlon federation has filed a case with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) challenging the exclusion of its athletes from qualifying events for the Winter Olympics. Experts rate the chances of success as very low, noting most Russian biathletes are formally affiliated with the military, which prevents them from meeting the ‘neutral athlete’ criteria. In addition, Olympic quota places are already allocated and remaining wildcard points must be earned at World Cup races through mid‑January—events Russia has been barred from since 2022 due to the invasion of Ukraine.
Olympic qualification: Russia’s biathletes file CAS appeal to be allowed to compete
December 11, 2025 / Sportschau
Russia’s biathlon federation (RBU) has lodged an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport seeking access for its athletes to Olympic qualification events for Milano–Cortina 2026. The move follows a partial CAS ruling that obliged FIS to allow Russian and Belarusian skiers and snowboarders to try to qualify under a neutral status, while the IBU has kept Russia and Belarus suspended since 2022 and extended that suspension in early 2025. With the Games starting on 6 February, time is short; the IOC continues to bar Russia as a nation but allows qualified individuals to compete as neutrals if criteria are met.
Sivert Guttorm Bakken back among the world’s best after long layoff
December 11, 2025 / Sportschau
Norway’s Sivert Guttorm Bakken has returned to top-level biathlon after nearly two years out with myocarditis following a COVID-19 vaccination, including heart surgery and a long rehabilitation. After rebuilding through the 2024/25 IBU Cup—highlighted by a podium in Obertilliach and a European sprint title—he opened the 2025/26 World Cup in Östersund with 4th in the 20 km, 7th in the sprint and 9th in the pursuit. With strong early-season results, he is close to realizing his goal of competing at the Milan–Cortina 2026 Olympics despite fierce competition within Norway.
Biathlon: Russian athletes appeal suspension to CAS
December 11, 2025 / SVT Sport
Russia’s sports minister says the country’s biathletes have appealed their suspension to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in an effort to compete internationally again. The IBU confirmed receipt of the appeal and reiterated that its rules and statutes currently do not allow participation of neutral athletes in IBU events. The move follows recent decisions in other FIS disciplines allowing neutral Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete and qualify for Milan–Cortina 2026, and the appeal reportedly covers eight Russian biathletes and para‑biathletes suspended since 2022 due to the war in Ukraine.
Biathlon: Return after credit card scandal – France shields star Julia Simon at comeback
December 11, 2025 / SPORT1
Julia Simon returns to the Biathlon World Cup in Hochfilzen after serving the final month of her suspension related to a credit card affair. The French federation is tightly controlling media access, barring questions about the case and avoiding a pre‑race press conference. Federation director Stéphane Bouthiaux says justice has run its course and the focus will be on Simon’s sporting comeback, with expectations cautious until her first race.
Julia Simon set to return at Hochfilzen World Cup after six‑month ban
December 10, 2025 / Sportschau
France’s Julia Simon will rejoin the Biathlon World Cup in Hochfilzen after serving a six‑month federation ban (five months suspended) that began on November 7. She was convicted in October for credit card fraud involving teammate Justine Braisaz‑Bouchet and a team physio, receiving a three‑month suspended sentence and fines; the French federation also sanctioned her. The article notes ongoing turbulence in the French team amid rumors of equipment tampering, which the federation denies, and quotes coaches highlighting Simon’s focus challenges as she prepares away from the team.