The biathlon world has turned its attention to the Olympic Winter Games in Milan/Cortina, Italy, but the recently concluded World Cup season offered a stark contrast in fortunes for different nations. While France enjoyed a period of dominance, the German team faced a season of struggles, marked by a lack of consistent success. As the sport prepares for its showcase event, let’s examine five key takeaways from the 2025-2026 World Cup season.
The German Struggle – Just Bad Luck?
The German biathlon team endured a remarkably difficult season, failing to secure a single World Cup victory for both men and women. Their best result at the Olympic Games in Antholz was a bronze medal in the mixed relay. The sport demands both speed on the skis and precision with the rifle, and too often, the German athletes faltered at crucial moments, either missing targets or lacking the final burst of speed needed to reach the podium. Vanessa Voigt, for example, finished fourth in the Olympic individual race despite a flawless 20-for-20 shooting performance, highlighting the narrow margins separating success and disappointment.
French Biathlon Boom
Team France dominated the Olympic Winter Games, winning six gold medals, four silver, and three bronze. Lou Jeanmonnot, 27, and Eric Perrot, 24, were particularly impressive, showcasing consistent performances throughout the season and decisively winning the overall World Cup standings. “Biathlon,” Jeanmonnot posted on Instagram after the awards, “is skiing and shooting. And France wins.”
This success has fueled a surge in biathlon’s popularity in France, building on the legacy of six-time Olympic champion Martin Fourcade. “We have to offer evening classes due to the fact that there are so many people,” a ski instructor told the French sports newspaper L’Équipe, reflecting the growing interest in the sport. Meanwhile, Germany’s Sport Director Felix Bitterling lamented a decline in young people choosing to pursue competitive sports in his country.
Surprises and Controversies
The season wasn’t without its share of drama. Norwegian athlete Sturla Holm Lægreid found himself in the headlines not for his athletic achievements, but for a public admission of infidelity. Despite the controversy, Lægreid rebounded strongly, winning six World Cup races and the sprint title after the Olympics.
On the French side, Julia Simon’s season was marked by a complex narrative. Initially absent from the World Cup circuit due to a conviction for credit card fraud and subsequent suspension, she returned in December and went on to win three Olympic gold medals and lead the mass start overall standings in March. Her performance raised eyebrows, with some questioning how she could achieve such success after her legal troubles. She was convicted in October for credit card fraud and suspended.
Athletes to Watch
Philipp Nawrath, 33, emerged as the top German performer in the overall World Cup, finishing ninth. He concluded the season strongly with a second-place finish in the mass start in Oslo, demonstrating his continued competitiveness. Younger athletes Leonhard Pfund, 22, and Franz Schaser, 23, also impressed with their shooting skills during their debut season on the German World Cup team.
Though, veterans Johannes Kühn, 34, and Roman Rees, 33, who competed at the 2022 Olympics, saw their roles diminish this season. Franziska Preuß, 32, a former world champion and overall World Cup winner, announced her retirement after a disappointing performance at the Olympic Games in Antholz.
Looking ahead, Marlene Fichtner, 23, is considered a promising talent for Germany. Selina Grotian, 21, and Julia Tannheimer, 20, however, struggled with consistency throughout the season, despite being touted as future stars by the German Ski Association. Tannheimer, in particular, showed speed on the course but lacked reliability in her shooting. The German junior women’s team did offer a glimmer of hope, winning gold at the Junior World Championships. Currently, Norway’s Maren Kirkeeide and Isak Frey lead the U-23 rankings, while French athletes dominate the IBU Cup, the development circuit below the World Cup level.
A Questionable Outlook
Felix Bitterling is stepping down as German Sport Director after four years, returning to the International Biathlon Union to grab on a new marketing role. His successor is familiar face Bernd Eisenbichler, 50, who previously held the position from 2019 to 2022. Whether he can revitalize the German team remains to be seen. Bitterling hinted at past shortcomings in youth development, stating that much progress had been made during his tenure, but acknowledging that the team had not achieved its goals. “Despite this, there were many good performances where it was close,” he said at the World Cup finals.
Changes are also planned for the coaching staff, with Kristian Mehringer and Sverre Olsbu Røiseland, who were responsible for the women’s team, set to depart. Their replacements have yet to be announced.
The Olympic Winter Games in Milan/Cortina will provide a crucial test for all these athletes and teams. The biathlon competitions in Antholz are scheduled to commence on February 8th, with the men’s and women’s teams eager to showcase their skills on the world stage.
What to Watch For: Maintain an eye on Philipp Nawrath as he looks to build on his strong finish to the World Cup season. The performance of the young German athletes, Grotian and Tannheimer, will also be key to the team’s future success. And, of course, all eyes will be on the dominant French team to see if they can continue their winning streak.
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