The shortest individual distance for women is probably where you need to hit all 10 targets to win. The total time of the competition is so short that 150 meters extra in the penalty loop can make you lose the medal. 

It’s also difficult to tip this biathlon race, because there are a lot of names who can be on the podium. 

Saturday, February 14: Women 7.5km Sprint (More information can be found HERE)

• 14:45 CET: 7.5km Sprint, Women

The start list can be found HERE

ABOUT SATURDAY’S RACE 

The distance is 7.5km, and the biathletes are starting individually, with 30 seconds between each. There are two shooting stops: first, five shots in the prone position, then five in the standing position after the next lap. No extra bullets when missing a target. 

For each missed target, you must do one penalty loop of 150 meters extra. It takes 20-25 seconds extra. And with competition time not much over 20 minutes, you understand that you cannot do many penalty loops before you lose your chance. 

The sprint is also very important because the result makes the starting list for the pursuit race. 

Olympic Champions 7.5 km sprint women 

• 1992 (Albertville): Anfisa Reztsova, EUN
• 1994 (Lillehammer): Myriam Bedard, Canada 
• 1998 (Nagano): Galina Kukleva, Russia 
• 2002 (Salt Lake City): Kati Wilhelm, Germany 
• 2006 (Torino): Florence Baverel-Robert, France 
• 2010 (Vancouver): Anastasia Kuzmina, Slovakia 
• 2014 (Sochi): Anastasia Kuzmina, Slovakia 
• 2018 (PyeongChang): Laura Dahlmeier, Germany 
• 2022 (Beijing): Marte Olsbu Røiseland, Norway 

World Champions 7.5 km sprint women 

• 1984 Venera Chernyshova, Soviet Union
• 1985 Sanna Grønlid, Norway 
• 1986 Kaija Parve, Soviet Union
• 1987 Elena Golovina, Soviet Union
• 1988 Petra Schaaf, BRD 
• 1989 Anne Elvebakk, Norway 
• 1990 Anne Elvebakk, Norway 
• 1991 Grete Ingeborg Nykkelmo, Norway 
• 1993 Myriam Bedard, Canada  
• 1995 Anne Briand, France 
• 1996 Olga Romasko, Russia 
• 1997 Olga Romasko, Russia 
• 1999 Martina Zellner, Germany 
• 2000 Liv Grete Skjelbreid, Norway 
• 2001 Kati Wilhelm, Germany 
• 2003 Sylvie Becaert, France 
• 2004 Liv Grete Poiree, Norway 
• 2005 Uschi Disl, Germany 
• 2007 Magdalena Neuner, Germany 
• 2008 Andrea Henkel, Germany 
• 2009 Kati Wilhelm, Germany 
• 2011 Magdalena Neuner, Germany 
• 2012 Magdalena Neuner, Germany 
• 2013 Olena Pidhrushna, Ukraine 
• 2015 Marie Dorin Habert, France 
• 2016 Tiril Eckhoff, Norway 
• 2017 Gabriela Koukalova, Czechia 
• 2019 Anastasia Kuzmina, Slovakia 
• 2020 Marte Olsbu Røiseland, Norway 
• 2021 Tiril Eckhoff, Norway 
• 2023 Denise Herrmann-Wick, Germany 
• 2024 Julia Simon, France 
• 2025 Justine Braisaz-Bouchet, France 

FAVORITES 

Lou Jeanmonnot, FRA 

Get our top tip because of her consistency. Never do a bad race and is leading both the overall World Cup and the sprint World Cup. She is quick, but if several athletes are shooting clean, it’s not 100% she will win. Braisaz-Bouchet has been quicker on the skis in most of the races this Winter. 

Lisa Vittozzi, ITA 

This is the race where Vittozzi got the most back from her quick shooting. She is even quicker than the French women in most of the races. Home crowd, high altitude, and familiar surroundings make the race ideal for the former World Cup-winner from Sappada. 

Elvira Öberg, SWE 

Last year’s mass start World Champion. But Elvira (and even her older sister Hanna) can be at the top in all kinds of races. The season has been more up and down than Elvira likes, but on a high note, she has the speed and what it takes to be on the podium. 

OUTSIDERS 

Maren Kirkeeide, NOR 

The 22-year-old Norwegian is already famous for her standing shooting under pressure. And she has one of the best finishes of all the ladies. She looks like she doesn’t have any nerves at all. But Kirkeeide has had a bad habit of missing one prone shot this Winter. She is third in the sprint World Cup.  

Justine Braisaz-Bouchet, FRA 

The reigning World Champion from last season and back on the top in Nové Mesto ahead of the Games. Braisaz-Bouchet is one of the quickest skiers. Her shooting has left a lot to be desired until Nové Mesto. But if she hits the targets, she is one of the favorites. 

Julia Simon, FRA 

World Champion two years ago. But the problems outside the sport have affected Simon. She is, surprisingly, back on a top level. But not as sharp as before. Therefore, we don’t put her among our three main candidates.  

Franziska Preuss, GER 

Also coming back to form after Covid and problems during the Christmas break. Last year’s World Cup winner is in her last season and is carrying a heavy burden as the top athlete for the biggest nation in biathlon. Is she back to last year’s winning shape? 

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 

World Champion on her home venue in 2020. But not in the sprint. Extreme quick shooter, especially in the standing position. But in her last two weeks of competing before retiring, she is probably not quick enough to win. 

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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