+ What: World Cup premiere in biathlon.
+ Where: Östersund.
+ When: November 29–December 7.
+ TV/radio: SVT and SVT Play/Radiosporten.
+ The program
29/11: Relay, women 4x6 km (13.15), men 4x7.5 km (16.55).
30/11: Single mixed relay (14.00), mixed relay (16.40).
2/12: Distance, women 15 km (3:30 p.m.).
3/12: Distance, men's 20 km (3:30 p.m.).
5/12: Sprint, ladies 7.5 km (4 p.m.).
6/12: Sprint, men's 10 km (4:30 p.m.).
7/12: Pursuit start, women 10 km (1:15 p.m.), men 12.5 km (3:20 p.m.).
+ Who will take over after Johannes Thingnes Bø?
Norwegian biathlon icon Johannes Thingnes Bø retired this spring, along with his brother Tarjei. Can compatriot Sturla Holm Lægreid become the new biathlon king, or will 24-year-old Frenchman Eric Perrault become the next dominant force? World Cup four-time champion Sebastian Samuelsson also wants to join the fight for the World Cup title.
+ Fraud accused French sister missing
Julia Simon, the World Cup queen in February with four gold medals, has admitted fraud this fall, that she stole national team colleague Justine Braisaz-Bouchet's credit card and used it to shop online. After the suspended prison sentence, the French Ski Federation punished Simon with a six-month suspension, five of which are conditional, which means that Simon is suspended for the premiere but will be allowed to compete again in Hochfilzen on December 12.
+ The Öberg sisters showed first class
Sisters Hanna and Elvira Öberg each won their competition in the Swedish premiere in Idre a little over a week ago, with the other sister in second place. Elvira came fourth in the last World Cup and is aiming high this winter as well.
Can they challenge German Franziska Preuss, overall winner of the World Cup this spring, who is the favorite in Simon's absence?
+ Back – after 21 months
Linn Gestblom was forced to sit out the entire last season due to a sore shoulder. After two surgeries, the 2024 World Championship silver medalist has her shoulder back in order. She competed in one of two competitions in the Swedish premiere and came third, so the form is evident.
Italian Lisa Vittozzi, who won the overall World Cup in 2024, was, like Gestblom, unable to compete at all last season. She has had a back injury that she has overcome through a strict rehabilitation program. She came fourth in the comeback, the Swedish premiere in Idre, behind the Öberg sisters and Gestblom.
+ Swedish men's jump in the premiere
Sebastian Samuelsson was the best Swede last season, finishing fourth in the World Cup. He also won one of the competitions in the Swedish premiere against international competition. Martin Ponsiluoma is one of the fastest skiers in the World Cup. When he also gets his shooting right, he becomes dangerous. Jesper Nelin has high hopes and raises a warning finger for Viktor Brandt.
+ Swedish team
Women: Anna Magnusson, Ella Halvarsson, Elvira Öberg, Hanna Öberg and Linn Gestblom. Due to illness and competition, the sixth skater will not be selected until later in the week. It is between Anna-Karin Heijdenberg, Johanna Skottheim and Sara Andersson.
Men: Jesper Nelin, Malte Stefansson, Martin Ponsiluoma, Sebastian Samuelsson, Viktor Brandt and Melker Nordgren (World Cup debutant).
