Biathlon
Illness wave hits Finland’s biathlon team before Hochfilzen World Cup
December 10, 2025 / SPORT1
Finland’s federation announced multiple late roster changes due to illness ahead of the Hochfilzen World Cup. Noora Kaisa Keränen, Kalle Loukkaanhuhta and Turkka Nieminen are out, with Arttu Heikkinen and Jimi Klemettinen called up from the IBU Cup. Despite the setbacks, recent strong form from Suvi Minkkinen and Sonja Leinamo keeps Finland optimistic.
Biathlon in Hochfilzen: Preuß and Grotian ruled out
December 10, 2025 / Sportschau
Germany’s Franziska Preuß and Selina Grotian will miss the Hochfilzen Biathlon World Cup after both were confirmed ill with COVID-19. Preuß’s absence also costs the DSV a special extra women’s start quota reserved for the defending overall World Cup champion, while Marlene Fichtner is called back and Julia Kink and David Zobel join the team. The DSV travels with six men and six women, shifting focus to Le Grand-Bornand the following week.
First in “her” Östersund: Wierer, the champion who still moves fans
December 09, 2025 / La Gazzetta dello Sport
Dorothea Wierer opened what she says will be her final season by winning the women’s individual in Östersund, the venue where she has the most career victories. She edged Finland’s Leinamo by 0.3 seconds thanks to sharp shooting and strong skiing, capping a resilient comeback after illness- and injury-hit campaigns that had cast doubt on her future. The piece notes her emotional finish, the Italian staff’s joy, and hints that rivals must again reckon with her—especially at Anterselva.
Biathlon: Preuß’s return remains uncertain
December 09, 2025 / SPORT1
Franziska Preuß has been named to Germany’s team for the Hochfilzen World Cup, but a final decision on her start will be made at short notice after illness (influenza and COVID-19) forced her to miss Östersund. Sport director Felix Bitterling said the women’s squad plans to field Vanessa Voigt, Janina Hettich-Walz, Julia Tannheimer, Anna Weidel and Julia Kink, with Selina Grotian and Preuß traveling and assessed in the coming 1–2 days. The Hochfilzen program begins Friday with the 7.5 km sprint, followed by relay and pursuit, while the men’s team includes Justus Strelow, Philipp Nawrath, Philipp Horn, Danilo Riethmüller, Simon Kaiser and David Zobel.
Unique footage: Stina Nilsson tries biathlon for the first time
December 09, 2025 / SVT Sport
SVT Sport shares never-before-seen footage from the show Kallprat of Swedish star Stina Nilsson testing biathlon for the very first time, predating her 2020 switch from cross‑country skiing. Nilsson reflects on her four years in biathlon, including a World Cup podium, before moving to long‑distance skiing with Team Ragde in April 2024, saying she has no regrets but finds long races suit her better.
Credit card scandal – Julia Simon returns to the World Cup after suspension
December 09, 2025 / krone.at
France’s Julia Simon has been named to the team for the Hochfilzen World Cup, marking her first World Cup races of the Olympic season after a federation suspension. Simon had received a suspended three‑month jail term and fines for making online purchases with stolen credit card data belonging to teammate Justine Braisaz‑Bouchet and a team physiotherapist. The French federation imposed a six‑month competition and training ban with five months suspended, causing her to miss only the Östersund opener.
Biathlon home World Cup: Hochfilzen ready thanks to 15,000 m³ of snow
December 09, 2025 / krone.at
After Lisa Hauser’s sensational pursuit victory in Östersund, the Biathlon World Cup now moves to her home venue in Hochfilzen. Despite a warm spell of up to +10°C, organizers say six races from Friday to Sunday can go ahead thanks to 15,000 cubic meters of stored or produced snow.
Biathlon in Hochfilzen: Germany hopes Preuß and Grotian are fit; two roster changes announced
December 09, 2025 / Sportschau
Germany’s biathlon director Felix Bitterling says Franziska Preuß (recent COVID-19 and flu) and Selina Grotian (illness) are provisionally named for this week’s World Cup in Hochfilzen, with a final fitness call due in 1–2 days. David Zobel and Julia Kink are promoted from the IBU Cup to the World Cup squad, replacing Lucas Fratzscher and Marlene Fichtner after a modest opening weekend in Östersund. The team will travel with six men and seven women as the focus remains on staying healthy ahead of the Olympic season peak in February.
Biathlon: Vebjørn Sørum turns to Drammen’s “miracle man” Tom Skjønnhaug to fix back problems
December 08, 2025 / NRK Sport
Norwegian biathlete Vebjørn Sørum has struggled with recurring back issues that forced him to drop out of the Geilo season opener. He has spent two weeks in intensive treatment with 79‑year‑old massage therapist Tom Skjønnhaug, known for helping top athletes, and reports major improvement and new techniques for activation and mobility. Sørum aims to return to the World Cup in Hochfilzen on December 12 as he fights for a spot on Norway’s Olympic team.
Dropped from the World Cup opener — now biathlete Johannes Dale-Skjevdal gets a key Olympic chance in Hochfilzen
December 08, 2025 / Eurosport Norway
Norway has named its teams for the upcoming World Cup round in Hochfilzen, recalling Johannes Dale-Skjevdal after three straight wins in the IBU Cup. With Olympic selection for Milano–Cortina 2026 looming, the Hochfilzen races are billed as an important audition; Vebjørn Sørum also returns after back issues, while Isak Leknes Frey and Endre Strømsheim make way. On the women’s side, Åsne Skrede is set for her World Cup debut after strong results in the IBU Cup and at Norway’s season opener in Geilo.
Biathlete Franziska Preuß tests positive for COVID-19, doubtful for Hochfilzen World Cup
December 08, 2025 / Sportschau
Germany’s biathlon world champion Franziska Preuß has been diagnosed with both influenza and COVID-19 and is uncertain for the second World Cup round in Hochfilzen. She withdrew from sprint and pursuit races in Östersund due to illness after underperforming in the relay and individual. Following successful sinus surgery and a medal-rich 2024/25 season, she now hopes to recover quickly with the Olympic biathlon events in Antholz looming.
Flunger on Hauser: “We’ll still talk about this victory in 20 years”
December 08, 2025 / Kronen Zeitung (krone.at)
Austrian biathlete Lisa Hauser made history by winning the World Cup pursuit in Östersund, completing victories in all four individual biathlon disciplines in her career. Her longtime Salzburg coach Sandra Flunger praised a ‘perfect’ race and reflected on the difficult recent years for Hauser, emotionally celebrating with her at the finish. The team now looks ahead to their home races in Hochfilzen.