Five Swedish biathlon talents to watch ahead of the 2025/2026 season

Elsa biathlon
The Swedish biathlon season opener in Idre Fjäll is just over a month away. Here are five of the most promising Swedish biathlon talents to keep an eye on before the start of the new season.

The Swedish biathlon season opener in Idre Fjäll is just over a month away. Here are five of the most promising Swedish biathlon talents to keep an eye on before the start of the new season.

On November 15, the biathlon season begins with a short-distance race in Idre Fjäll. The Swedish biathlon team is among the strongest in the world, with stars such as Elvira Öberg, Sebastian Samuelsson, and Martin Ponsiluoma.

But new talents are rising fast, knocking on the door of the national team. Here’s a look at five of the most exciting Swedish prospects ahead of the season premiere.

Also Read: Five Swedish talents to keep an eye on ahead of the 2025/2026 cross-country ski season

Ida Eriksson

The 20-year-old from Mora is part of Team Autoexperten and has dominated the junior category during the roller ski season. Last winter, she made her IBU Cup debut and represented Sweden at the Junior World Championships in Östersund.

This summer, she won three gold medals at the Junior Swedish Championships in roller biathlon and followed up with a fifth-place finish at the Senior Nationals, ahead of established names such as Ella Halvarsson and Anna Magnusson.

If she continues her development this autumn, there’s a strong chance that Ida Eriksson will be fighting for IBU Cup spots.

Read More: Biathlon IBU Cup: Calendar for the 2025/2026 winter season

Ida Eriksson defeated several national team athletes during the Swedish Championships in Lima in August. Photo: Nordnes/NordicFocus

Elsa Tänglander

At 18 years old, she’s a standout in both cross-country skiing and biathlon. She competes for Team Autoexperten in biathlon but participated in both the Junior World Championships in cross-country and biathlon last season.

Her best result came at the Junior Worlds in Östersund, where she finished fourth. It remains to be seen whether the Östersund native will continue to combine the two sports this winter or focus entirely on biathlon.

Elsa Tänglander is a talent in both biathlon and cross-country skiing. Photo: Johan Axelsson/BILDBYRÅN

Martin Höiby

The 20-year-old from Gothenburg has been regarded as a major talent for several years. Last season, he placed 14th at his best at the Junior World Championships and impressed with a 10th-place finish in the final IBU Cup competition of the season, against a strong international field.

He graduated this spring and, like Ida Eriksson, is now in his final junior year. During the roller biathlon nationals, he finished 13th at best. If his development continues this fall, Höiby could challenge for top results at the Junior World Championships.

Martin Höiby is one of the five biathlon talents to watch. Photo: Sara Damne/BILDBYRÅN

Emma Larsson

Born in 2008, she’s the youngest on the list but made a big impression at the Junior World Championships in Östersund, finishing 11th, 18th, and 18th in her races. She has been one of the dominant athletes in her age group, winning two silver medals at the Junior Swedish Championships in roller biathlon against older competitors born in 2007.

She also demonstrated very stable shooting in Östersund. Her two brothers are also successful biathletes, and her father, Staffan Larsson, is a Vasaloppet winner. Emma could challenge podiums in the youngest Junior World Championship category — and perhaps even earn a chance in the IBU Cup.

Emma Larsson impressed at the Junior Worlds in Östersund, finishing in the top 20 in every race. Photo: Johan Axelsson/BILDBYRÅN

Karl Grönland

The 21-year-old from Rörbäcksnäs is the only non-junior on the list — he enters his first senior season this winter. Though not part of any national team group, Grönland made a name for himself at the roller biathlon nationals, surprising everyone — including himself — by taking bronze in the short-distance event.

He trains under Oskar Brandt in Mittuniversitetet’s MIUN training group and also claimed a silver medal at the Winter Universiade last season.

Grönland will be one to watch at the Idre Fjäll season opener and is among the names that could soon earn a call-up to the IBU Cup.

Karl Grönland took a bronze medal at the Swedish Roller Biathlon Championships. Now he’s one of the most exciting names ahead of the season opener. Photo: Mathias Bergeld/BILDBYRÅN

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