Maren Kirkeeide takes Olympic silver in Anterselva

OSLO / ANTERSALVA (HBO Max)

Maren Hjelmeset Kirkeeide added another Olympic medal to her haul in Anterselva, taking silver in the women's pursuit at Milano‑Cortina 2026.

The 22‑year‑old from Stryn started first on the course, four seconds ahead of her nearest rival, having won the Olympic sprint on Saturday. Kirkeeide arrived at the last standing shooting first, but two misses in that final series cost her the chance for a second straight Olympic gold. The medal fight, however, stayed alive. On the final lap she left the range together with Finland's Suvi Minkkinen, and Kirkeeide appeared to have the strongest finish.

Kirkeeide eventually crossed the line in second and thus secured her second consecutive Olympic medal at these Games.

"It feels very good. I thought it was an incredible race — it was really fun to be up there at the front. I just tried to enjoy it," Kirkeeide told HBO Max.

"I got really shaky at the last shooting, but it was so cool to stand on lane one and fight for the gold. I was quite calm when I came in to the range, but the shaking came when I started to shoot. I really had to fight to hit the targets," she added about the final series.

HBO Max commentator Jørn Sundby praised Kirkeeide's performance: "She delivers a strong, strong pursuit. An Olympic gold and an Olympic silver in under 24 hours. We can't complain about that." Expert Henrik L'Abée‑Lund called it "a fantastic result — one shot too many, but still a silver medal, very good." Tiril Eckhoff — working as an expert for HBO Max — said: "I think she is a woman for the future. Norwegian biathlon is saved because of Maren."

Italy's Lisa Vittozzi was ice‑cold on the final series, shooting clean and ski­ing away to win Olympic gold on home snow. Minkkinen also shot perfectly in the last standing and took bronze.

Kirkeeide's silver comes less than 24 hours after her sprint gold, completing a remarkable day and a half for the young Norwegian.

"It's been non‑stop. Yesterday I didn't get in the shower until half past eight in the evening. I've enjoyed it," Kirkeeide said.

See also: "Kirkeeide Olympic champion after gold grip — praised by Eckhoff: 'She's phenomenal'" (14/02/2026).

Related: Skiskyting | Milano‑Cortina 2026