Sprint in Östersund: Giacomel 8th at +38.3; Vittozzi and Wierer face a one-minute deficit for the Pursuit

Originally published in La Gazzetta dello Sport on December 06, 2025

The Östersund IBU World Cup sprint races delivered mixed outcomes for the Italian team.

Women: Finland’s Suvi Minkkinen won the sprint. Italy’s Lisa Vittozzi and Dorothea Wierer each incurred two missed targets, costing them time and leaving both roughly one minute down heading into Sunday’s 10 km Pursuit. Despite the deficit, they remain in contention to climb with clean shooting.
Men: Norway’s Johan-Olav Botn prevailed in the men’s sprint. Italy’s Tommaso Giacomel placed 8th, 38.3 seconds off the winner, putting him in a favorable starting position for the 12.5 km Pursuit.

Sunday schedule in Östersund: - Women’s 10 km Pursuit at 13:15 - Men’s 12.5 km Pursuit at 15:20

Overall, the Italians defended well in the sprints and set themselves up for possible gains in the Pursuit races.