Biathlon: Frenchman Perrot spoils Norway’s season opener

Pre-season biathlon races across Norway, Sweden and France offered an early look at form ahead of the World Cup.

Geilo (Norway) - Among largely Norwegian men’s fields, two French athletes stood out. Eric Perrot won Sunday’s mass start thanks to strong shooting, despite only the 15th-best ski time. He was also the lone non-Norwegian in the top eight of Saturday’s sprint, finishing third. Émilien Jacquelin placed second in the second mass start on Sunday. - Overall World Cup titleholder Sturla Holm Lægreid kept things low key with 7th and 17th places, while Norway’s depth shone through with strong races from Martin Uldal and Johan‑Olav Smørdal Botn.

Women in Geilo - Norway’s Maren Kirkeeide and Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold took wins in the sprint and mass start. - Lotte Lie (Belgium, born in Norway) and Italy’s Dorothea Wierer also posted notable results. Veteran Anastasiya Kuzmina surprised with 5th in the sprint.

Idre Fjäll (Sweden) - Germany’s team contested their internal World Cup selection races. Based on these results, the DSV announced its men’s World Cup roster for the Östersund opener. - Women: The Öberg sisters dominated at home—Hanna and Elvira went 1–2 in the first sprint, and added 1st and 3rd on day two. Germany’s Janina Hettich‑Walz, returning from maternity leave, impressed with 2nd in the sprint. Vanessa Voigt, Marlene Fichtner and Julia Tannheimer made the top ten, while Selina Grotian (12th) and Sophia Schneider (14th) had quieter starts.

Bessans (France) - French women primarily used the races for internal selection for the Östersund World Cup opener.

Context - These events are unofficial season openers and test races that help teams finalize selections and assess early-season form before the World Cup begins in Östersund.