Biathlon: seven Norwegians protected as World Cup kicks off
Every year, theNorwegian Biathlon Association publishes a document on its website called ‘Uttakskriterier’, which translates as ‘Selection Criteria’.
In the edition devoted to the 2025/2026 season, we learn that seven biathletes have already been selected for the opening World Cup, to be held from 29 November to 7 December in Östersund (Sweden).
These are the biathletes who finished the winter of 2024/2025 in the top 15 overall or who finished in the top 6 in an individual race at the World Championships in Lenzerheide (Switzerland). This includes Vebjoern Soerum, Endre Stroemsheim, Martin Uldal, Sturla Holm Lægreid, Karoline Knotten and Maren Kirkeeide.
The seventh automatic qualifier is Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold. If she does not meet the stated criteria, she wins her ticket, it is explained, “on the basis of her exceptional results in the past”.
Tough competition for the last tickets
This means that three tickets for men and women will be up for grabs on 15 and 16 November during the Norwegian opening races in Geilo (Norway).
The document also lists the names of the biathletes in the running to win them: Johannes Dale-Skjevdal, Isak Frey, Sverre Dahlen Aspenes, Johan-Olav Botn, Vetle Sjaastad Christiansen and Sivert Guttorm Bakken for the men; Ida Lien, Ragnhild Femsteinevik, Gro Randby, Karoline Erdal, Marthe Kraakstad Johansen, Juni Arnekleiv, Emilie Kalkenberg and Marit Oeygard for the women.
The names of the Norwegians guaranteed to start the 2025/2026 World Cup season
Men
- Vebjoern Soerum 🇳🇴
- Endre Stroemsheim 🇳🇴
- Martin Uldal 🇳🇴
- Sturla Holm Lægreid 🇳🇴
Ladies
- Maren Kirkeeide 🇳🇴
- Karoline Knotten 🇳🇴
- Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold 🇳🇴
The names of the Norwegians in the running for the last World Cup tickets
Men
- Johannes Dale-Skjevdal 🇳🇴
- Isak Frey 🇳🇴
- Sverre Dahlen Aspenes 🇳🇴
- Johan-Olav Botn 🇳🇴
- Vetle Sjaastad Christiansen 🇳🇴
- Sivert Guttorm Bakken 🇳🇴
Ladies
- Ida Lien 🇳🇴
- Ragnhild Femsteinevik 🇳🇴
- Gro Randby 🇳🇴
- Karoline Erdal 🇳🇴
- Marthe Kraakstad Johansen 🇳🇴
- Juni Arnekleiv 🇳🇴
- Emilie Kalkenberg 🇳🇴
- Marit Oeygard 🇳🇴
The full programme for the opening Norwegian biathlon races in Geilo
Saturday 15 November
- 11.30am: women’s 7.5 km sprint
- 2pm: Men’s 10 km sprint
Sunday 16 November
- 12.45pm: women’s 12.5 km mass-start
- 2.30pm: men’s 15 km mass-start
- Martin Uldal and Vebjoern Soerum promoted, Vetle Sjaastad Christiansen retained, Karoline Knotten out of the squad: Norway’s selections for the 2025/2026 season
- Norwegian opening races move from Sjusjøen to Geilo
