Swedish Sisters Dominate Kontiolahti 15km Individual Race

Kontiolahti, Finland – Elvira Öberg of Sweden secured victory in the women’s 15km Individual race at the IBU World Cup in Kontiolahti on Thursday, March 5, 2026. Her flawless shooting performance and strong skiing led her to a time of 41:46.4. Hanna Öberg finished second, continuing a strong showing for the Swedish team.

Öberg Sisters Take Top Two Spots

Elvira Öberg’s win marks her first victory in a 15km Individual race, completing her collection of wins in every World Cup discipline. She also achieved a four-stage clean shooting day for the first time since the Ruhpolding Mass Start in January 2025. Hanna Öberg dominated the first three stages but a single miss ultimately placed her 41.3 seconds behind her sister.

Batovska-Fialkova Secures First Podium of the Season

Slovakia’s Paulina Batovska-Fialkova claimed third place with a time of 42:31.4, also with one penalty. This result represents her first podium finish of the season and her best result in an endurance race, surpassing her previous best of third place in the 2024 Annecy Le Grand Bornand Mass Start.

Strong Performances from Vobornikova and Fichtner

Tereza Vobornikova of Czechia finished fourth with a clean shooting record, 47.8 seconds behind the winner. Germany’s Marlene Fichtner also shot clean, achieving a career-best fifth place, 1:25.9 seconds back. Anna Magnusson, also of Sweden, finished sixth with one penalty, 1:50.4 seconds behind Öberg.

Slovak Success Continues

Ema Kapustová also achieved a career-best result for Slovakia, finishing 16th with a time of +3:06.0 and a clean shooting record. Zuzana Remeňová finished 37th with two penalty minutes (+4:43.9), marking her second-best career result.

Jeanmonnot Claims Little Globe Despite Difficult Race

Despite a challenging race with four penalty minutes, French biathlete Lou Jeanmonnot secured the small crystal globe for the endurance race. She finished 35th, maintaining a two-point lead over Sweden’s Anna Magnusson in the final standings.

Race Details

• 1st: Elvira Öberg (SWE) – 41:46.4 (0 penalties)
• 2nd: Hanna Öberg (SWE) – +41.3 seconds (1 penalty)
• 3rd: Paulina Batovska-Fialkova (SVK) – +45.0 seconds (1 penalty)
• 4th: Tereza Vobornikova (CZE) – +47.8 seconds (0 penalties)
• 5th: Marlene Fichtner (GER) – +1:25.9 (0 penalties)
• 6th: Anna Magnusson (SWE) – +1:50.4 (1 penalty)

The Biathlon World Cup continues in Kontiolahti with the Men’s 20km Individual on Friday, March 6th.