Biathlon: Sweden names team for Östersund World Cup opener

The biathlon season begins this weekend at the Östersund ski stadium, and Sweden has confirmed its squad for the World Cup opener.

Linn Gestblom returns to top-level competition after roughly 650 days away; her last World Cup start was in Antholz in January 2024. “It feels incredibly fun to be back racing,” she said. She explained that ahead of this season she removed the brace she used before surgery, and despite ups and downs over the past year, her goal all along was to be on the start line in Östersund.

Head coach Johannes Lukas has selected five women for now and is keeping the final women’s place open. Anna-Karin Heijdenberg, Johanna Skottheim and Sara Andersson are competing for that last spot. “We’re in a slightly special situation on the women’s side. We’ll see how training develops before deciding the entries for each race. The whole team is training together in Östersund, and from that we can make as fair and comprehensive a selection as possible,” said Lukas.

On the men’s side, debutant Melker Nordgren has been given an opportunity and will make his World Cup debut on home snow. “It’ll be really fun to race the World Cup, and doing it at home makes it even more special,” Nordgren said.

SVT will broadcast the biathlon as usual; the season starts on Saturday at 13:15.

Sweden’s squad for Östersund

Women: - Anna Magnusson (Piteå Skidskytteklubb) - Ella Halvarsson (Biathlon Östersund) - Elvira Öberg (Piteå Skidskytteklubb) - Hanna Öberg (Piteå Skidskytteklubb) - Linn Gestblom (SK Bore)

Women – final spot contenders: - Anna-Karin Heijdenberg - Johanna Skottheim - Sara Andersson

Men: - Jesper Nelin (Biathlon Östersund) - Malte Stefansson (Oxbergs IF) - Martin Ponsiluoma (Tullus SG) - Melker Nordgren (Ornäs IK Skidskytte) - Sebastian Samuelsson (I 21 IF) - Viktor Brandt (I 2 IF)