Hettich-Walz Finishes Tenth in Oslo Biathlon World Cup Finale

Oslo, Norway – Janina Hettich-Walz of Germany concluded the biathlon season with a tenth-place finish in the mass start event at the World Cup finale in Oslo on Friday, March 22, 2026. The 29-year-old German biathlete was in contention for a podium spot until two shooting errors in the final standing stage dashed her hopes, according to reports from the event.

Hettich-Walz completed the 12.5-kilometer course with a time 50 seconds behind the winner, Italy’s Lisa Vittozzi, who incurred only one penalty lap. The race took place at the Holmenkollen ski jumping and biathlon venue, a traditional stop on the Biathlon World Cup circuit.

Vittozzi’s victory prevented a third consecutive win for Sweden’s Hanna Öberg in Oslo. Öberg, who had previously won the sprint and pursuit races, finished second. Rounding out the podium was Tereza Vobornikova of the Czech Republic, securing third place with a single penalty.

The German team saw further strong performances with Vanessa Voigt finishing twelfth and Julia Tannheimer in fourteenth. Selina Grotian placed twenty-fourth.

This result concludes a challenging Olympic season for the German women’s biathlon team. Even as they secured three podium finishes in World Cup events a World Cup victory eluded them. Franziska Preuß, who retired after the Olympic Winter Games in Italy, achieved the sole individual podium finish for the team with a third-place result in the 12.5-kilometer event in Nove Mesto. The German women’s relay teams also contributed two third-place finishes.

At the Olympic Winter Games, the German women were unable to secure a medal in either the individual races or the women’s relay. However, Preuß and Voigt did earn a bronze medal as part of the German mixed relay team at Antholz.

The race in Oslo marked the end of the Biathlon World Cup season, leaving fans to look ahead to the next competition cycle and the continued development of athletes like Janina Hettich-Walz. Hettich-Walz’s performance demonstrates her consistent ability to compete at the highest level, and she will undoubtedly be a key athlete for Germany in future competitions.

The 2024 Biathlon World Championships saw Hettich-Walz achieve significant success, winning a silver medal in the individual race and a team silver medal in the relay. She also secured a team silver medal at the 2021 World Championships in the relay event, according to her profile on the International Biathlon Union website.

Looking ahead, the biathlon world will turn its attention to preparations for the next World Cup season, with athletes aiming to build on their performances and strive for further success. The focus will be on refining techniques, improving shooting accuracy, and maintaining peak physical condition to compete at the highest level.

The next major event on the calendar is the start of preparations for the 2026/2027 Biathlon World Cup season, with athletes and teams gearing up for another year of intense competition. The season will feature a series of World Cup events across various locations, culminating in the World Championships, where athletes will battle for coveted medals and championship titles.

Fans can stay updated on the latest news, results, and schedules by visiting the official website of the International Biathlon Union (IBU) at www.biathlonworld.com.