The first week of the IBU Cup was a success for both France and Norway

During the first competition week of the IBU Cup in biathlon at Otepää, sprint, pursuit race and mass start were scheduled for three competition days. The medal count was opened in the first week by France, Italy, the Czech Republic and Norway.

On Thursday, 6 March, the Frenchwoman Gilonne Guigonna took the first place in the women's 7.5 km sprint, with only one missed shot (1+0). The silver medal went to the Italian Rebecca Passler (0+2; +25.3) and the bronze medal to the Czech Kristyna Otcovska (0+1; +29.8).

In the men's 10 km sprint, Norwegian athletes were triumphant. Passing both shooting rounds with clean shots, Isak Frey took the first place. The second place went to Vetle Sjåstad Christiansen (1+0; +29.2) and the third to Johannes Dale-Skjevdal (0+1; +36.2).

Men's and women's pursuit races were scheduled for Saturday, 8 March. In the women's 10 km pursuit, the Frenchwoman Gilonne Guigonnat took the victory, only missing once in four shooting rounds. Camille Bened (0+0+1+0; +15.4) secured a double victory for the French, and Norway's Juni Arnekleiv (0+1+1+2; + 1:06.0) finished third.

In the men's 12.5 km pursuit, the entire pedestal was occupied by the Norwegian national team members. Johan-Olav Botn (0+0+0+1) took the victory, followed by Vetle Sjåstad Christiansen (0+0+1+0; +44.1) and Johannes Dale-Skjevdal (0+0+1+2; + 1:03.5).

On Sunday, 9 March, the Czech Kristyna Otcovska was the first to finish in the women's 12 km mass start, passing four shooting rounds with no misses. The second and third places on the podium were occupied by the French Paula Botet (2+1+0+0; +15.5) and Camille Bened (0+0+1+1; +22.0).

In the men's 15 km mass start, the victory went to the Norwegian Vetle Sjåstad Christiansen, who had no misses in the shooting round. He was followed by his teammates Johan-Olav Botn (1+0+0+1; +10.2) and Isak Frey (0+0+0+1; +24.0).

The final stage of the IBU Cup will take off at Otepää on Wednesday, 12 March, with short individuals Admission is free for spectators.