Flawless shooting secured a decisive win for Hanna Oberg in Holmenkollen. Ukrainian Oleksandra Merkushina posted the best national finish in 14th place.
In Holmenkollen, Norway, the ninth and final stage of the current Biathlon World Cup season began.
The women’s 7.5 km sprint with two shooting ranges was won by Swedish biathlete Hanna Öberg, who, with perfect shooting, completed the distance in 20 minutes 20.4 seconds.
In second place was Lisa Vittozzi of Italy with zero misses, finishing 5.3 seconds behind.
Elvira Karin Öberg finished third (0 misses), 20.1 seconds behind.
Among Ukrainians, the best result was by Oleksandra Merkushyna (0 misses), finishing 14th, 1 minute 19 seconds behind.
Results of Ukrainian biathletes and future plans
Of the Ukrainian participants, the best performance was by Khrystyna Dmytrenko (0 misses) – 52nd, 2:14.2 behind the leader; Yulia Jima (0) – 68th (+2:48.1); Anastasia Merkushina (2) – 76th (+3:11.6); Olena Horodna (2) – 79th (+3:17.0); Darina Chalyk (3) – 86th (+3:45.0).
A total of 109 athletes started.
The men’s 10 km sprint is scheduled for March 20 at 17:15.
On March 21 the pursuit races will take place – the women’s 10 km (14:45) and the men’s 12.5 km (17:15).
The ninth stage of the World Cup on March 22 will conclude with mass-starts: the women’s 12.5 km – 14:45, and the men’s 15 km – 17:15.
It is also known that Ukrainian Anastasia Merkushina won gold at the 2026 European Biathlon Championship in the individual race.