Oslo, Norway – The 2025-2026 biathlon World Cup season concluded Sunday in Oslo with a thrilling mass start race, won by Norway’s Johan-Olav Botn. While Botn secured the victory, the day belonged in many ways to France’s Éric Perrot, who finished third and cemented his place as the overall World Cup champion.
Botn, skiing strongly and shooting flawlessly (20/20), sprinted to the finish line ahead of Germany’s Philipp Nawrath, also with a perfect shooting record. Perrot, already assured of the overall World Cup title, finished just over 15 seconds behind the leaders, hampered by two penalty loops in his shooting (18/20).
This marks a monumental season for Perrot, who not only claimed the coveted overall crystal globe but also secured the small globes for the individual event, the mass start, and the pursuit – a testament to his consistent performance throughout the year. The French biathlete had already locked up the overall title before Sunday’s race, making this final competition a celebration of his achievements.
The race saw Perrot in contention for the win until the very end. He led through the first three shooting stages, but a missed shot on the third attempt forced him to take a penalty loop. Despite this setback, he remained within striking distance, staying close to Botn as the race progressed. On the final shooting stage, another miss proved costly, allowing Botn and Nawrath to pull ahead and ultimately claim the top two spots on the podium.
Botn’s victory comes on the heels of a strong season and represents a significant milestone in his career. He demonstrated composure and precision throughout the race, capitalizing on Perrot’s slight errors to secure the win. Nawrath’s consistent shooting and strong skiing also earned him a well-deserved second-place finish.
The Oslo mass start wasn’t without its challenges for other top contenders. While details are still emerging, reports indicate a difficult day for Quentin Fillon Maillet, who finished outside the top group.
This season also saw success for other French biathletes. Lou Jeanmonnot, like Perrot, enjoyed a stellar season, winning the overall women’s World Cup and claiming three small globes of her own. Her performance further solidifies France’s dominance in the sport this year.
Looking at the broader picture, the 2025-2026 season was a resounding success for the French biathlon team. Including the 13 medals (6 gold) won at the Milan Cortina Olympic Winter Games in Anterselva, Italy, the team amassed a total of 65 podium finishes throughout the season. This represents a remarkable achievement and underscores the depth of talent within the French program.
The season-ending race in Oslo brought a close to a thrilling year of biathlon competition. While Johan-Olav Botn celebrated a victory, the overarching narrative centered on Éric Perrot’s historic season and his well-deserved recognition as the overall World Cup champion. Perrot’s consistent performance, combined with the success of his French teammates, has undoubtedly left a lasting mark on the sport.
What’s Next: The biathlon World Cup will return for the 2026-2027 season. Dates and locations for the upcoming events will be announced by the International Biathlon Union (IBU) in the coming months. Fans can stay updated on the IBU’s official website for the latest news, and schedules.
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