Johannes Dale-Skjevdal has rebuilt his season the hard way. From the IBU Cup back to Olympic contender, the Norwegian’s finishing speed makes him a threat in both the pursuit and the mass start.

He often smiles and looks relaxed. But appearances can be deceiving. Inside, a competitive fire is burning — one that brings out a killer instinct very few can match.

Johannes Dale-Skjevdal is known for his powerful finishes in head-to-head battles. He showed it again in the pursuit in Ruhpolding, when his son Jon was present at his father’s “workplace” for the first time.

But it was far from certain that Dale-Skjevdal would even get the chance to compete at the Olympics in Anterselva. In fact, he was dropped from the World Cup team after a poor start to the season. He had to take the hard road down to the IBU Cup, the level below the World Cup.

Also Read – Olympics 2026: Complete biathlon guide to the men’s 12.5km Pursuit

Three straight wins — and back

He has fallen out of the Norwegian national team before and returned that time as well. This time, he immediately showed he belongs at the highest level. The 28-year-old from Blaker delivered three consecutive victories, and suddenly, he was back in favor.

In Hochfilzen, he moved up from 16th to fifth in the pursuit and was part of the winning relay team. The following week, he finished second in the sprint in Le Grand Bornand. Despite two penalty loops, he was only 3.5 seconds behind teammate Vetle Sjåstad Christiansen, who shot clean. He also beat Olympic champion Johan-Olav Botn, who also shot clean.

There was another relay victory in Oberhof when the World Cup resumed after New Year’s. But there, Dale-Skjevdal nearly became the scapegoat with two penalty loops in standing. He has missed shots in several relays, particularly in standing, where things have not always worked.

Swept away all doubt

Any doubt about the Olympic selection he swept aside in Ruhpolding. With just one penalty loop, he moved from 10th place to victory. But he had to unleash his trademark finishing speed to drop top names like Eric Perrot, Martin Ponsiluoma, Fabien Claude, and Tommaso Giacomel over the final kilometer.

The Olympics opened with four penalty minutes in the 20 km individual, which was enough for 10th place. But those are not the kinds of results Johannes Dale-Skjevdal is chasing. The athlete with four World Cup victories has one silver and one bronze individually from the World Championships, but there is room for Olympic medals in the trophy cabinet as well.

Family support

He is married to Kristina Dale-Skjevdal from Røros, who was also a strong biathlete. The couple welcomed their son Jon in 2025 and live in Lillehammer, like many of Norway’s top athletes.

Johannes Dale-Skjevdal made his World Cup debut in the 2018/2019 season. Growing up, he was coached by his father, Jo, and his club was — and still is — the Fet Ski Club.

His first World Championship medal came at this very Olympic venue in Anterselva when he won silver in the men’s relay in 2020. The following year, he claimed his first individual World Cup victory in the sprint in Hochfilzen. That was followed by silver in the mass start and bronze in the 20 km at the World Championships in Pokljuka. He finished the 2020/2021 season fifth overall in the World Cup standings.

Two strong chances left

Then came the first real setback when Dale-Skjevdal had to return home after the opening races in Kontiolahti and was placed on the IBU Cup team. Just like this season, however, he fought his way back and quickly climbed the World Cup rankings again. Last season, he was once more on the IBU Cup circuit, where he won five races.

Now, with the Bø brothers gone, he suddenly finds himself among the veterans on the national team alongside Vetle Sjåstad Christiansen and Sturla Holm Lægreid.

With the pursuit and mass start still to come, his two best events remain.

No one wants to face him on the final lap.

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.

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