This event is called the Formula 1 of biathlon. A fast and nervous race where you cannot afford to make many mistakes. You must also have good speed on the tracks and shoot quickly. It’s easy to lose 10-15 seconds just in shooting time every time on the range. That added to four shootings gives you 40-60 seconds extra. 

The biathlon Mass Start’s crucial moments for the podium are very often the last standing shooting when the nerves hit you, and your knees feel like rubber. And if you manage to hit all five targets, you need power left for the final lap. 

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

• 14:15 CET: 15km Mass Start, Men 

The start list can be found HERE

ABOUT FRIDAY’S RACE 

In the Mass Start, 30 athletes start simultaneously and compete over 15km for men. There are four shooting stages: the first two in the prone position and the last two in the standing position. Each missed target gives you a penalty loop of 150 meters. The winner is the first athlete crossing the finish line. 

Which athletes qualify for the 30 places in the Mass Start is determined by previous results in the Games and by a special schedule set by the IBU. 

At the first shooting, the athletes will shoot at the target using their start number; the next times, they will fill up from target 1, for the first to enter the range, all the way to target 30. 

Olympic Champions – 15km Mass Start 

• 2006 (Torino): Michael Greis, Germany 
• 2010 (Vancouver): Martin Fourcade, France 
• 2014 (Sochi): Emil Hegle Svendsen, Norway 
• 2018 (PyeongChang): Martin Fourcade, France 
• 2022 (Beijing): Johannes Thingnes Bø, Norway 

World Champions – 15km Mass Start 

• 1999 Sven Fischer, Germany 
• 2000 Raphael Poiree, France 
• 2001 Raphael Poiree, France 
• 2003 Ole Einar Bjørndalen, Norway 
• 2004 Raphael Poiree, France 
• 2005 Ole Einar Bjørndalen, Norway 
• 2007 Michael Greis, Germany 
• 2008 Emil Hegle Svendsen, Norway 
• 2009 Dominik Landertinger, Austria 
• 2011 Emil Hegle Svendsen, Norway 
• 2012 Martin Fourcade, France 
• 2013 Tarjei Bø, Norway 
• 2015 Jakov Fak, Slovenia 
• 2016 Johannes Thingnes Bø, Norway 
• 2017 Simon Schempp, Germany 
• 2019 Dominik Windisch, Italy 
• 2020 Johannes Thingnes Bø, Norway 
• 2021 Sturla Holm Lægreid, Norway 
• 2023 Sebastian Samuelsson, Sweden 
• 2024Johannes Thingnes Bø, Norway  
• 2025 Endre Strømsheim, Norway                    

FAVORITES 

Eric Perrot, France 

Hopefully, Perrot has recovered from the Relay. It’s doubtful if he has ever been as tired as after he crossed the line. But the half-Norwegian is in excellent shape, and he has proved several times that he is one of the coolest on the last shooting. 

Sturla Holm Lægreid, Norway 

What started with the now-famous interview about Lægreid being unfaithful to his ex-girlfriend, he has shown impressive form in the races. But the gold is missing so far, and Lægreid needs to shoot fast and not miss. That’s his key to the podium again. 

Emilien Jacquelin, France 

Normally, not a race we would put among the top 3 favorites in a Mass Start. Jacquelin is often missing at one shooting stop, and he can sometimes stop totally when he starts the races too fast. But the form he has shown here is so good that he cannot be left out. 

OUTSIDERS 

Campbell Wright, USA 

Not the Olympics the American had hoped for. He was a bit of a revelation in last year’s World Champs in Lenzerheide, but it doesn’t look like he manages this venue in the same way. But you never know with the ex-New Zealander. He can suddenly be in the fight for the medals. 

Sebastian Samuelsson, Sweden 

He won the World Championships in Mass Start back in 2023. But the skiing speed of the last few days hasn’t been up to the normal standard. “Sebbe” is also troubled by the shooting. Maybe the bronze from the Relay was the turning point? 

Vetle Sjåstad Christiansen, Norway 

Great Olympics so far, even though it was too far to catch Perrot on the last lap in the Relay. One of the best finishes in races like this. But he missed too much in the Pursuit race and fell out of the podium. Very good shooting is also necessary for the 33-year-old. 

Johannes Dale-Skjevdal, Norway 

Didn’t get to race the Relay. That gives him fresh legs. Twice 6th here in Antholz, but Dale-Skjevdal wants medals. The other biathletes will not forget the last lap he delivered in Ruhpolding. Standing shooting is the question mark. 

Martin Ponsiluoma, Sweden 

Finally got his gold medal in the Pursuit, then bronze in the Relay. The 30-year-old Swede from Östersund is shooting better here than earlier in the season. He has always been one of the quickest on skis. Can he squeeze out one more medal? 

Quentin Fillon Maillet, France 

The sprint winner has hit fantastic form on the skis just in time for the Olympics. Fillon Maillet is also one of the most experienced and can be ice-cold in critical moments, like the last shooting, clearly a medal candidate. 

Tommaso Giacomel, Italy 

Very disappointing Olympics on home snow so far for the man who has been in the lead of the World Cup earlier this Winter. Not even close to a medal. This is the last chance, and the pressure is big on “Tommy”. 

Johan-Olav Botn, Norway 

The Individual champion did not impress anybody in the Relay. Is his form over the peak? Or was it just a bad day? Botn was sick for a longer period before the Games and he may be paying for that now. If he is back at his best, he can beat them all. 

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.

As a member of ProXCskiing.com, you get full access to all content on the site. Also, live streaming of Ski Classics events with English commentaries is available.

When you become part of one of the World’s leading XC ski communities, you will receive many exclusive offers all year round.

REGISTER HERE AS A MEMBER