The longest distance for women is among the hardest to predict for biathletes. The only race without penalty loops is the race where you get the most back for being a good shooter. 

It’s hard to make up one full minute in the tracks. But that’s what you must do if you miss a target. 

The French, Swedish, and Italian teams have strong shooters and will be challenged by Germany, Norway, and possibly others. 

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

• 14:15 CET: 15km Individual, Women

The start list can be found HERE

Also Read: Program for biathlon at the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics

ABOUT WEDNESDAY’S RACE 

The individual is the longest and oldest competition in biathlon, with a 15km race for women. The start interval is 30 seconds. There is no penalty loop. Each missed target adds a minute to the final time. 

Athletes shoot first in the prone position, then standing, prone, and standing again. Five shots each time. The best time in the finish, with eventual penalty minutes added, is the winner of the race. 

Olympic Champions 15km Individual Women 

• 1992 (Albertville): Antje Misersky, Germany 
• 1994 (Lillehammer): Myriam Bedard, Canada 
• 1998 (Nagano): Ekaterina Dafovska, Bulgaria 
• 2002 (Salt Lake City): Andrea Henkel, Germany 
• 2006 (Torino): Svetlana Ishmouratova, Russia 
• 2010 (Vancouver): Tora Berger, Norway 
• 2014 (Sochi): Daria Domracheva, Belarus 
• 2018 (PyeongChang): Hanna Öberg, Sweden 
• 2022 (Beijing): Denise Herrmann, Germany 

World Champions 15km Individual Women 

• 1984: Venera Chernyshova, Soviet Union
• 1985: Kaija Parve, Soviet Union
• 1986: Eva Korpela, Sweden 
• 1987: Sanna Grønlid, Norway 
• 1988: Anne Elvebakk, Norway 
• 1989: Petra Schaaf, BRD 
• 1990: Svetlana Davidova, Soviet 
• 1991: Petra Schaaf, Germany 
• 1993: Petra Schaaf, Germany 
• 1995: Corinne Niogret, France 
• 1996: Emmanuelle Claret, France 
• 1997: Magdalena Forsberg, Sweden 
• 1999: Olena Zubrilova, Ukraine 
• 2000: Corinne Niogret, France 
• 2001: Magdalena Forsberg, Sweden 
• 2003: Katerina Holubcova, Czechia 
• 2004: Olga Pyleva, Russia 
• 2005: Andrea Henkel, Germany 
• 2007: Linda Grubben, Norway 
• 2008: Ekaterina Iourieva, Russia 
• 2009: Kati Wilhelm, Germany 
• 2011: Helena Ekholm, Sweden 
• 2012: Tora Berger, Norway 
• 2013: Tora Berger, Norway 
• 2015: Ekaterina Yurlova, Russia 
• 2016: Marie Dorin Habert, France 
• 2017: Laura Dahlmeier, Germany 
• 2019: Hanna Öberg, Sweden 
• 2020: Dorothea Wierer, Italy 
• 2021: Marketa Davidova, Czechia 
• 2023: Hanna Öberg, Sweden 
• 2024: Lisa Vittozzi, Italy 
• 2025: Julia Simon, France 

FAVORITES 

Lou Jeanmonnot, FRA 

The French woman biathlete with the most consistent results. Leading the World Cup individual and her good shooting make her the top favorite here. But Jeanmonnot has no titles in the individual race, so she is eager to start the Olympics on a high note. 

Justine Braisaz-Bouchet, FRA 

The quickest skier of the favorites. Her shooting has not been on top this Winter, but in the last short individual race in Nové Mesto, she suddenly hit 19 targets and won. Braisaz-Bouchet is so quick on the tracks that she can win with one or two missed shots. 

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. She won the distance at the World Champs in 2024. 

OUTSIDERS 

Hanna Öberg, SWE 

The most decorated of them all, over 15km Individual. Twice a World Champion and Olympic Champion in PyeongChang, Korea, back in 2018. The older sister Öberg loves this distance, and her experience is of great importance here. But the results have been a little bit like a roller coaster this season.  

Elvira Öberg, SWE 

She has speed, and she knows she can win. Won the World Championships mass start last season, but it has been difficult to hit 20 out of 20 for Elvira. Her result here is hanging on what she will be doing on the range. Probably a better chance for gold in one of the other races. 

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 

Has suddenly lifted Finnish biathlon back to the top after Kaisa Mäkäräinen’s glory days. The season started splendidly but has shown a little weakness on this side of the New Year. But Minkkinen now has the confidence needed to fight for the medals.  

Dorothea Wierer, ITA 

Her last two weeks of competition. In her very own home range. Wierer was World Champion on this venue in 2020, and she is the one who knows Antholz best in this field. Extremely quick on the range. If she hits all, she will fight for glory again.  

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

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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