It’s not often the leader after the sprint also wins the following Pursuit. It is very often a matter of the last shooting stop 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. 

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 men’s Pursuit allows the top 60 athletes from the Sprint competition to start over 12.5km. 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 12.5km Pursuit Men 

• 2002 (Salt Lake City): Ole Einar Bjørndalen, Norway 
• 2006 (Torino): Vincent Defrasne, France 
• 2010 (Vancouver): Björn Ferry, Sweden 
• 2014 (Sochi): Martin Fourcade, France 
• 2018 (PyeongChang): Martin Fourcade, France  
• 2022 (Beijing): Quentin Fillon Maillet, France 

World Champions 12.5km Pursuit Men 

• 1997 Viktor Maigourov, Russia 
• 1998 Vladimir Drachev, Russia 
• 1999 Ricco Gross, Germany 
• 2000 Frank Luck, Germany 
• 2001 Pavel Rostovtsev, Russia 
• 2003 Ricco Gross, Germany 
• 2004 Ricco Gross, Germany 
• 2005 Ole Einar Bjørndalen, Norway 
• 2007 Ole Einar Bjørndalen, Norway 
• 2008 Ole Einar Bjørndalen, Norway 
• 2009 Ole Einar Bjørndalen, Norway 
• 2011 Martin Fourcade, France 
• 2012 Martin Fourcade, France 
• 2013 Emil Hegle Svendsen, Norway 
• 2015 Erik Lesser, Germany 
• 2016 Martin Fourcade, France 
• 2017 Martin Fourcade, France 
• 2019 Dmytro Pidruchnyi, Ukraine 
• 2020 Emilien Jacquelin, France 
• 2021 Emilien Jacquelin, France 
• 2023 Johannes Thingnes Bø, Norway 
• 2024 Johannes Thingnes Bø, Norway 
• 2025 Johannes Thingnes Bø, Norway 

FAVORITES 

Eric Perrot, FRA 

Leader of the Individual World Cup overall and pursuit. Perrot is always doing well in races, and he is both fast on the track and a very good shooter. He is one of the most complete biathletes, and his consistency is making him a major favorite again. Normally, he is ice cold on the last shooting stop. 

Tommaso Giacomel, ITA 

Lost the lead on the overall World Cup to Perrot at the last World Cup round in Nové Mesto. But Giacomel is very fast and one of the few athletes who can win or get a medal even with one or two missed shots. The home crowd is either going to help him or make him extra nervous. Second, also in the Pursuit World Cup. 

Johan-Olav Botn, NOR 

A gold candidate if he can find the form he had at the beginning of the season. Botn came like a fire to the opener in Östersund. But sickness over New Year and the tragic death of teammate Sivert Guttorm Bakken, when Botn was the one who found him dead, have made it difficult the last month. Was known as the fastest skier but has recently become one of the best shooters.  

OUTSIDERS  

Emilien Jacquelin, FRA 

World Champion twice in Pursuit. He often climbs in races like this. Jacquelin is only one of the many French men who can be on the podium here. But he is by far the most unpredictable. 

Sebastian Samuelsson, SWE 

The shooting hasn’t been up to the normal standard for “Sebbe,” who is sitting in 3rd on the Pursuit World Cup list. But he has the experience, the speed needed, and if he can put his shooting together, he is a potential medalist.  

Martin Uldal, NOR 

Got famous for his quick shooting last season. This Winter, he has spent more time on the range and has hit more. Splendid start to the season, but question marks around his form lately. Not in the top 10 in the Pursuit World Cup at the moment 

Sturla Holm Lægreid, NOR 

Last year’s World Cup winner has been struggling more this year. Lægreid is supposed to be the star of the Norwegian team once the Bø brothers are gone. But he needs to step up from the previous races this Winter. Pursuit starts have always been a good distance for Lægreid. 

Quentin Fillon Maillet, FRA 

The reigning champion has experience as his best weapon. But like Lægreid, he has also been one step under the previous years this Winter. But Fillon Maillet is an athlete who always finds his form for the important competitions, so he could very well be there again. 

Johannes Dale-Skjevdal, NOR 

Sitting in 4th in the Pursuit World Cup and impressed in Ruhpolding with a fantastic finish of the race. Strong on the skis and with confidence after having been better throughout the Winter. 

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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