Swedish star wins the season’s first IBU competition, turning the tables on the Norwegian favorite in a thrilling finish in Munich.

Martin Ponsiluoma won Saturday’s supersprint in Munich after a nail-biting finish against Norway’s Johan-Olav Botn. On the women’s side, Elvira Öberg and Anna Magnusson secured the final podium spots behind France’s Ocean Michelon.

Ponsiluoma and Botn crossed the finish line at the same time, but the photo finish awarded the victory to the Swede. This marked his first IBU win of the season, despite having one more miss than his Norwegian rival. World Cup champion Eric Perrot from France finished third, 12 seconds behind.

In the women’s race, France’s rising star Ocean Michelon was in a league of her own, winning by 14.2 seconds ahead of Elvira Öberg. Anna Magnusson took third place, another four seconds back.

The competition weekend continues on Sunday with another supersprint for both men and women. However, several top stars have chosen to skip the season opener in Munich.

Also Read – Stars skip season opener: “It makes no sense”

Results Loop One 2026

Top Three Men, Supersprint

1. Martin Ponsiluoma, Sweden, 21:38.0
2. Johan-Olav Botn, Norway, +0.0
3. Eric Perrot, France, +12.2

Full Results

Top Three Women, Supersprint

1. Ocean Michelon, France, 24:19.9
2. Elvira Öberg, Sweden, +14.2
3. Anna Magnusson, Sweden, +18.3

Full Results

This is Loop One

Loop One is a new concept from the International Biathlon Union (IBU) aimed at bringing biathlon closer to the audience. The festival is intended to be both a public celebration and an official start to the 2026/27 season, set in the Olympic Park in Munich.

Who: Elite athletes from all major biathlon nations
What: Supersprint on roller skis
Where: Olympic Park, Munich
When: October 17–18, 2026

PROGRAM

Saturday, October 17
11:00: Supersprint, women’s qualifiers
12:20: Supersprint, men’s qualifiers
15:45: Supersprint, women’s final
16:25: Supersprint, men’s final

Start Lists, Results, and Details

Sunday, October 18
10:15: Supersprint, women’s qualifiers rounds 1–4
12:50: Supersprint, men’s qualifiers rounds 1–4
15:45: Supersprint, women’s finals
16:25: Supersprint, men’s finals

Start Lists, Results, and Details

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