Johan-Olav Smørdal Botn wins again in the Östersund World Cup sprint; Martin Uldal second

Norwegian biathlete Johan-Olav Smørdal Botn continued his breakout start to the Olympic season by winning the men’s sprint at the IBU World Cup in Östersund. Coming off his first career World Cup victory earlier in the week over 20 km, the 26-year-old delivered another flawless performance on Saturday, shooting 10/10 and skiing fastest to secure back-to-back wins and keep the yellow leader’s bib.

Despite battling a sore throat and illness during the week, Smørdal Botn said he felt prepared for the pressure of leading the World Cup. “It was a very good race again. I was a bit lucky on the range today, but I’m incredibly satisfied,” he told HBO Max. “Wearing the yellow bib is something I dreamed of—it wasn’t expected, but I was ready for it.”

NRK expert and Olympic champion Marte Olsbu Røiseland praised his composure, noting that the pressure doesn’t seem to affect him.

Norway dominated the results. Martin Uldal also shot clean to take second place, while France’s Quentin Fillon Maillet claimed third. Sturla Holm Lægreid finished fourth, Vetle Sjåstad Christiansen sixth, and Sivert Guttorm Bakken seventh, giving Norway five athletes inside the top seven.

Both men’s and women’s fields will contest pursuit races in Östersund on Sunday.