Biathlon: the women take the lead at the Nations Cup, Les Bleus overtake Norway
During the biathlon world championships in Lenzerheide (Switzerland) over the last two weeks, all the cup rankings were paused. All except the Nations Cup.
In this hierarchy – important for defining the quotas of the different countries from one season to the next – where only sprints, individuals, relays, mixed relays and single mixed relays are taken into account, a total of four World Championship races have been added.
In the men’s race, France (6,985 points), in the lead before the season’s showpiece event, maintained its position at the top, even increasing its margin over Norway (6,853). The margin now stands at 132 points heading into the final six races of the winter.
If Les Bleus were to remain in the lead right to the end, they would win the globe for the very first time in their history.
A third consecutive globe is just around the corner for Les Bleues
On the women’s side, the French, who were already well ahead ahead of the Worlds, have extended their lead. With 6,975 points, the French team is 677 points ahead of Sweden (6,298) and 710 points ahead of Germany (6,265).
Two-time winners of the globe, Les Bleues are set to win a sixth (after 1993, 1995, 1996, 2023 and 2024) in March.
Last but not least, this 2024/2025 Nations Cup will be of great importance this winter in determining the Olympic quotas for Milan/Cortina 2026: the top 20 nations will be able to field four athletes in each of the individual races (with two extra quotas for the top 3 countries and one extra for those ranked 4 to 10).
Nations Cup rankings after the world championships in Lenzerheide (Switzerland)
Men
Ladies
- Sturla Holm Lægreid takes the lead, the Franziska Preuss/Lou Jeanmonnot battle continues, the small relay globe almost won by the French: all the overall World Cup rankings after the sixth stage in Antholz.
- Lenzerheide: Marie Dorin-Habert reviews the first week of the World Championships
- Lenzerheide: Marie-Laure Brunet reviews the second week of the world championships
