They’re lightning-fast on skis and shoot quicker than you can blink. These five Norwegian biathlon talents could be the talk of the upcoming winter.

Several Norwegian junior stars who have dominated both nationally and internationally in recent years are now moving up to the senior level. Among them are this winter’s Junior World Champions Sivert Silsand Gerhardsen, Haavard Tosterud, and Siri Galtung Skar.

But behind them comes a new wave of young biathletes — and many have already made a strong impression. Here are five promising juniors to keep an eye on this winter and beyond.

Oliver Alm

The biathlon talent from Østre Toten saw his entire last season ruined by a roller ski accident during a training session at Birkebeineren Stadium the previous autumn. The only competition he managed to start was the Norwegian Championships in January.

The previous winter, however, Alm claimed gold, silver, and bronze at the 2024 Junior World Championships, and signs point toward more success ahead.

Recently turning 20, Alm has been named to the U23 national team for the coming season and has long been one of the fastest shooters on the range. During the Blink Festival this summer, he drew attention on national TV — firing an 11.7-second shooting series, nearly matching the elite-level times of World Cup racer Martin Uldal.

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Kasper Kalkenberg

The young athlete from Mo i Rana is in a league of his own among Norwegian talents. After his breakthrough at the 2024 Junior World Championships, Kalkenberg was an obvious pick for the U23 national team last season. But when offered a place again this year, he turned it down — without hesitation.

Despite winning two golds, one silver, and two fourth places, being named Best Overall Athlete at the 2025 Junior World Championships, making his World Cup debut at the Bø brothers’ farewell in Holmenkollen, and winning the Norwegian Cup overall, Kalkenberg described last season as a significant disappointment. His body gave out, his form declined, and his motivation faded.

Now, the 20-year-old is training privately together with his older sister Emilie Kalkenberg, who also left the national team earlier this year — a decision not well received by federation officials.

Also Read: “I only got worse on the national team”

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Andreas Præsterud

The 20-year-old from Simostranda, home club of Ole Einar Bjørndalen, made a strong impression at last summer’s World Championships, finishing eighth and second-best among Norwegians — just nine seconds from the podium.

At this winter’s Junior Worlds, Præsterud was in contention for a top finish in the sprint before missing twice in standing and ending 24th. He placed fifth overall in the Norwegian Cup, best among those still eligible for the junior category this coming season.

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Martine Skog

When the 18-year-old from Bjerkvik made her Junior World Championship debut in Östersund last winter, she delivered two gold medals and one silver in the relay. Despite a brief loading issue in the standing stage while fighting for gold as Norway’s anchor, Skog also claimed two additional top-10 finishes in her first-ever World Championships.

She went on to win gold and silver at the Norwegian Championships and took the overall Norwegian Cup title, standing on the podium in every race she entered.

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Silje Berg-Knudsen

The 20-year-old from Fet SK anchored Norway’s relay team to bronze at the 2025 Junior Worlds in Östersund. Berg-Knudsen also finished sixth (best Norwegian) in the sprint and second-best Norwegian in the mass start.

In the Norwegian Cup, she collected three second places and finished sixth overall, second among those who remain juniors this winter.

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