The 23-year-old German won two gold medals at the European Biathlon Championships last season. Within 48 hours during the national selection races, she went from a possible World Cup start to the “third division.” She didn’t even make the IBU Cup team.

Progress and joy defined last season for German biathlon talent Johanna Puff. She won both the individual race and the relay at the European Championships.

Many considered her a strong candidate for the World Cup opener in Östersund, which starts on Saturday.

But all such plans were shattered during the German World Cup selection. She failed in the qualification races, and the disaster was complete when Johanna Puff wasn’t even selected for the first IBU Cup races in Obertilliach, Austria.

Thus, the 23-year-old goes from being the reigning European champion to the “third division” and total media anonymity during the first international competitions of the season. She must now compete in local German races.

Johanna Puff expressed her frustration on Instagram after the selection:

“I don’t know what to say. This year has been a complete disaster. I tried my best, but unfortunately, that’s not always enough.”

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It may be a long road back for the athlete from Bavaria, who already has strong results on her résumé. In 2022, she won the IBU Junior Cup; the following year, Puff finished second overall.

She has already stood on a World Cup relay podium and, in 2023, became Junior World Champion in both the relay and the mixed relay. Last season, she also competed at the World Championships in Lenzerheide, Switzerland, finishing 22nd in the 15km individual.

Johanna Puff’s best World Cup result is 18th place, achieved at Holmenkollen in 2024 — also in her favorite event, the 15km individual.

Below you can check all the facts about the biathlon premieres season 2025/2026.

FACTS Östersund Cup Season 2025/2026 (more information can be found HERE)

• When: Saturday, November 29 to Sunday, December 7 
• Who: Elite national biathletes – women and men
• Where: Östersund, Sweden
• What: IBU World Cup in Östersund, Sweden

PROGRAM

• Saturday, November 29, 13:15 CET: Women 4x6km Relay
• Saturday, November 29, 16:55 CET: Men 4×7.5km Relay
• Sunday, November 30, 14:00 CET: Single Mixed Relay (W+M)
• Sunday, November 30, 16:40 CET: Mixed Relay (M+W)
• Tuesday, December 2, 15:30 CET: Women 15km Individual
• Wednesday, December 3, 15:30 CET: Men 20km Individual
• Friday, December 5, 16:00 CET: Women 7.5km Sprint
• Saturday, December 6, 16:30 CET: Men 10km Sprint
• Sunday, December 7, 13:15 CET: Women 10km Pursuit
• Sunday, December 7, 15:15 CET: Men 12.5km Pursuit

Also Read – Biathlon World Cup: Calendar for the 2025/2026 winter season

FACTS IBU CUP Obertilliach Season 2025/2026 (more information can be found HERE)

• When: Thursday, December 4 to Sunday, December 7 
• Who: Elite national biathletes – women and men
• Where: Obertilliach, Austria
• What: IBU Cup Obertilliach, Austria

PROGRAM

• Thursday, December 4, 10:30 CET: Women 7.5km Sprint
• Thursday, December 4, 14:10 CET: Men 10km Sprint
• Saturday, December 6, 10:30 CET: Women 7.5km Sprint
• Saturday, December 6, 14:10 CET: Men 10km Sprint
• Sunday, December 7, 10:45 CET: Women 10km Pursuit
• Sunday, December 7, 13:30 CET: Men 12.5km Pursuit

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

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