Surging Olympic form: Maren Kirkeeide takes powerful podium in Hochfilzen sprint

Norwegian biathlete Maren Kirkeeide delivered a standout performance in Friday’s World Cup sprint in Hochfilzen.

The 22‑year‑old from Stryn cleaned all targets in the prone stage and missed once standing (9/10 total). Despite the penalty loop, she skied exceptionally fast and secured second place, just 15.3 seconds behind France’s Lou Jeanmonnot. Sweden’s Anna Magnusson completed the podium in third.

Notably, Kirkeeide was the only athlete among the top eight to incur a penalty loop, underscoring how strong her ski speed was on the course. The result marks her first individual World Cup podium of the season and signals promising form less than two months before the Milano–Cortina 2026 Olympic Games.

Karoline Knotten was the next best Norwegian in ninth. Earlier on Friday in the men’s sprint, Norway missed the podium; Johan‑Olav Botn was close but fell short.

NRK expert Ola Lunde hailed Kirkeeide’s effort as a “monster race.”