Johan-Olav Botn won the men's mass start at Holmenkollen, beating Germany's Philipp Nawrath. The Norwegian athlete vomited after crossing the finish line due to the extreme exertion of the race. In the women's event, Italy's Lisa Vittozzi triumphed, breaking the winning streak of Sweden's Hanna Öberg, who had earlier claimed both the sprint and pursuit titles at the venue. These races concluded the biathlon World Cup season's final weekend in Oslo.
Finland's Suvi Minkkinen entered the finale second in the overall World Cup standings and leading the pursuit World Cup. She finished 11th in the women's 7.5 km sprint, losing to Hanna Öberg by over a minute. Multiple reports indicate this result means Minkkinen can no longer win the overall World Cup, as France's Lou Jeanmonnot extended her lead to 216 points. The Finnish athlete has earned over 180,000 euros in prize money from the World Cup this season, according to reports, and her company Minkkis Media reportedly made a profit of about 148,700 euros on a turnover of about 301,000 euros last fiscal year.
Botn finished third in the men's overall World Cup, behind winner Éric Perrot of France and second-placed Norwegian Sturla Holm Lægreid. Lægreid, who finished fourth in the mass start, showed some weaknesses for the first time in a long while, according to multiple reports. His performance at Holmenkollen did not affect his strong season-long position.
We should not be upset about Lindkvist-Flötten choosing Sweden but rather welcome a new good rival.
Norwegian biathlon saw the World Cup debut of 19-year-old talent Philip Lindkvist-Flötten, who finished 68th in the sprint. Lindkvist-Flötten grew up in Norway but has a Swedish mother and represents the club Trondhjems skiskyttere nationally. He won medals in all three individual distances at the Junior World Championships this season.
Latvian biathlete Rihards Lozbers, aged 16, finished 21st in the sprint at Holmenkollen with clean shooting. Multiple reports indicate he became the youngest athlete ever to score World Cup points with this result. Lozbers had previously finished 32nd in the sprint at the Olympic Games, showcasing his rapid development on the international stage.
The Norwegian biathlon team is undergoing a coaching change as Siegfried Mazet leaves his role after ten years. Athletes including Vetle Sjåstad Christiansen, Sturla Holm Lægreid, and Marte Olsbu Røiseland have praised Mazet, with his departure seen as a significant loss for Norwegian biathlon.
I was disappointed with my performance in the sprint and lacked feeling for the track.
The Norwegian team selections for the Holmenkollen finale were clear, according to multiple reports. The women's team included Juni Arnekleiv, Marthe Kråkstad Johansen, Maren Hjelmeset Kirkeeide, Karoline Offigstad Knotten, Gro Randby, Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold, and Karoline Erdal, according to reports. The men's team featured Johan-Olav Smørdal Botn, Vetle Sjåstad Christiansen, Isak Leknes Frey, Johannes Dale-Skjevdal, Sturla Holm Lægreid, Martin Uldal, Sverre Dahlen Aspenes, and Ole Tafjord Suhrke, according to reports.
Among those getting an opportunity was 24-year-old Ole Tafjord Suhrke. He ended the IBU Cup season strongly in Lake Placid, taking four podium places. In addition to those podiums, Suhrke sensationally finished fourth in the mass start there despite eight penalty rounds. The 24-year-old has long shown himself to be a strong cross-country skier, which resulted in him getting his World Cup debut in cross-country skiing in Lillehammer last season.
In cross-country skiing, the participation of world's best Johannes Høsflot Klæbo in the World Cup finale in Lake Placid this weekend remains uncertain, with reports indicating he will decide on Tuesday. Klæbo sustained a mild concussion when he fell in the sprint in Drammen on Thursday, according to multiple reports. Klæbo has already won the overall World Cup and secured the sprint globe, but to also win the distance cup he must compete in the USA. Harald Østberg Amundsen took over the lead in the distance cup after Klæbo had to drop Saturday's 50 km race in Holmenkollen. As World Cup leader, Klæbo has a free pass for the finale, and whether he participates or not does not affect the rest of the Norwegian selection, according to multiple reports.
I will join the French national team, possibly working with the women's team.
Elsewhere in Norwegian skiing, the final events of the Norwegian Cup of cross-country skiing in Gålå took place in extreme temperatures, with readings as low as -17.3°C at the coldest point of the course. These polar conditions forced organizers to cancel the para cross-country skiing races scheduled earlier in the morning.
In the shortened 10 km skate individual race that did go ahead, Julie Bjervig Drivenes dominated the women's competition. Multiple reports indicate she won with more than 15 seconds ahead of young skier Milla Grosberghaugen Andreassen. Nora Sanness completed the top three, finishing 25 seconds from the lead.
Among the men, Finn-Haagen Krogh signed the best performance of the day in Gålå. Multiple reports show he won with a little more than 9 seconds over Henrik Doennestad. Martin Kirkeberg Moerk took the last step on the podium.
The World Cup finale in Holmenkollen began with the women's sprint on Thursday. That race could be followed on Norwegian broadcaster NRK from 16:15, according to multiple reports.
Reactions to the weekend's events included notable performances and strategic decisions. Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold finished fifth in the women's mass start, matching her season best. Sturla Holm Lægreid was once recruited by Sweden, according to Expressen.
Key uncertainties persist as the season concludes. It remains unknown whether Johannes Høsflot Klæbo will participate in the World Cup finale in Lake Placid this weekend. The specific reasons behind Siegfried Mazet's departure from the Norwegian national team beyond his move to France have not been detailed. Furthermore, the full extent of Ole Tafjord Suhrke's shooting challenges and how they might affect his World Cup performance will be revealed in competition.