It’s not often the leader after the Sprint also wins the following Pursuit. It is very often a matter of the last shot and the final lap. So, you need to be cold in your head when the heat normally is on top. 

Some athletes are better than others at this. But it’s also hard to tip the winner here. 

Sunday, February 15: Men 12.5km Pursuit and Women 10km Pursuit (More information can be found HERE)

• 11:15 CET: 12.5km Pursuit, Men
• 14:45 CET: 10km Pursuit, Women 

The start lists can be found HERE

ABOUT SUNDAY’S RACE 

The women’s Pursuit allows the top 60 athletes from the Sprint competition to start over 10km. There are four stops at the shooting range, the first two in the prone position and the last two in the standing position. The start interval is determined by the Sprint results, with the winner starting first, the second following by the time back from the Sprint results, and so on until the 60th. Just as in the Sprint, each missed target gives you a penalty loop of 150 meters. 

Olympic Champions 10km Pursuit Women 

• 1992 (Albertville): Anfisa Reztsova, Russia 
• 1994 (Lillehammer): Myriam Bedard, Canada 
• 1998 (Nagano): Galina Kukleva, Russia 
• 2002 (Salt Lake City): Kati Wilhelm, Germany 
• 2006 (Torino): Florence Baverel-Robert, France 
• 2010 (Vancouver): Anastasia Kuzmina, Slovakia 
• 2014 (Sochi): Anastasia Kuzmina, Slovakia 
• 2018 (PyeongChang): Laura Dahlmeier, Germany 
• 2022 (Beijing): Marte Olsbu Røiseland, Norway 

World Champions 10km Pursuit Women 

• 1997 Magdalena Forsberg, Sweden 
• 1998 Magdalena Forsberg, Sweden 
• 1999 Olena Zubrilova, Ukraine 
• 2000 Magdalena Forsberg, Sweden 
• 2001 Liv Grete Poiree, Norway 
• 2003 Sandrine Bailly, France, and Martina Glagow, Germany 
• 2004 Liv Grete Poiree, Norway 
• 2005 Uschi Disl, Germany 
• 2007 Magdalena Neuner, Germany 
• 2008 Andrea Henkel, Germany 
• 2009 Helena Jonsson, Sweden 
• 2011 Kaisa Mäkäräinen, Finland 
• 2012 Darya Domracheva, Belarus 
• 2013 Tora Berger, Norway 
• 2015 Marie Dorin Habert, France 
• 2016 Laura Dahlmeier, Germany 
• 2017 Laura Dahlmeier, Germany 
• 2019 Denise Herrmann, Germany 
• 2020 Dorothea Wierer, Italy 
• 2021 Tiril Eckhoff, Norway 
• 2023 Julia Simon, France 
• 2024 Julia Simon, France 
• 2025 Franziska Preuss, Germany 

FAVORITES 

Lou Jeanmonnot, FRA 

The French female biathlete with the most consistent results. Leading the World Cup and her good shooting make her the top favorite here. Jeanmonnot is usually very cold in this kind of race.  

Hanna Öberg, SWE 

Hanna Öberg made a historical climb at the World Cup in Östersund, going from 59th to the top 10. She is one of the most experienced in races side by side and with four shootings. The Swedes have a strong team, and Hanna Öberg is one of the ones who can win here. 

Lisa Vittozzi, ITA 

Vittozzi is back in the top, and her speed on the range will give her an advantage. If she hits 19 or 20, she will for sure be up there. She is used to the high altitude. Coming from Sappada, not too far away from Antholz. The former World Cup winner will have many fans cheering her on.  

OUTSIDERS  

Justine Braisaz-Bouchet, FRA 

There have been problems shooting well enough with four rounds this Winter. But Braisaz-Bouchet can be made up for one penalty loop in the track. She is only one of many who can win a medal here.  

Elvira Öberg, SWE 

It can be either Elvira or Hanna. Normally, Hanna gets away with fewer penalties than Elvira in a race like this. But Elvira can also be strong with four shooting stops. She showed that when she won the World Championships mass start last year. 

Anna Magnusson, SWE 

Had the lead in the World Cup for a period. A string of top results gave her confidence, even though she had faded in the last competitions before the pre-camp. Needs to find the form she had at the beginning of the season. Then she will be able to fight for medals. 

Franziska Preuss, GER 

Probably the only German with a chance of a medal here. It’s a lot of pressure because Germany is one of the big nations in biathlon. But World Cup winner Preuss has been better after her Covid at the beginning of the season. Maybe not following the absolute best on the skis, but she is good enough to shoot 20 out of 20. Then she will fight up there. 

Suvi Minkkinen, FIN 

Surprisingly, leading the World Cup pursuit with ten points ahead of Jeanmonnot. Minkkinen has been one of the positive surprises this Winter. Not the absolute best skier, but the Finnish star is looking like she has no nerves in races like this. 

Maren Kirkeeide, NOR 

Her strength is the last shooting stop and the last loop. If she is up there at this stage of the race, she can beat everybody. Kirkeeide has gained the confidence needed to do this. But it’s a long way to the last shooting with the sprint and the first three shooting stops before the final of the pursuit race. 

You will find the start list HERE

Biathlon schedule – Milano-Cortina 2026

Sunday, February 8: Mixed Relay (M+W) (More information can be found HERE)

• 14:05 CET: Mixed Relay, Men + Women

Tuesday, February 10: Men 20km Individual (More information can be found HERE)

• 13:30 CET: 20km Individual, Men

Wednesday, February 11: Women 15km Individual (More information can be found HERE)

• 14:15 CET: 15km Individual, Women

Friday, February 13: Men 10km Sprint (More information can be found HERE)

• 14:00 CET: 10km Sprint, Men

Saturday, February 14: Women 7.5km Sprint (More information can be found HERE)

• 14:45 CET: 7.5km Sprint, Women

Sunday, February 15: Men 12.5km Pursuit and Women 10km Pursuit (More information can be found HERE)

• 11:15 CET: 12.5km Pursuit, Men
• 14:45 CET: 10km Pursuit, Women

Tuesday, February 17: Men 4×7.5km Relay (More information can be found HERE)

• 14:30 CET: 4×7.5km Relay, Men

Wednesday, February 18: Women 4x6km Relay (More information can be found HERE)

• 14:45 CET: 4x6km Relay, Women

Friday, February 20: Men 15km Mass Start (More information can be found HERE)

• 14:15 CET: 15km Mass Start, Men

Saturday, February 21: Women 12.5km Mass Start (More information can be found HERE)

• 14:15 CET: 12.5km Mass Start, Women

The complete program for the Winter Olympic Games can be found HERE

Antholz-Anterselva promises breathtaking courses for athletes and spectacular viewing for fans. With every shot and ski stride counting, the biathletes will aim for the podium in every race, making the biathlon one of the most eagerly watched events of the 2026 Winter Games.

Are you interested in biathlon? Click HERE and read more about it.

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