Damien Levet and Paula Botet, both of France, won the Sprint competitions in Ridnaun-Val Ridanna. France dominated both races, sweeping all podium places.

A perfect day on the shooting range proved decisive in Levet’s win — the first of his IBU Cup career — as he withstood the challenge from his teammates Valentin Lejeune and Antonin Guigonnat. Levet won in 23:10.2. Lejeune, with one miss in the standing shoot and the fastest ski time of the day, finished second, 9.1 seconds behind. Guigonnat, with one miss in the prone, completed the all-French podium, 21.9 seconds back.

Botet claimed her third victory in five IBU Cup races this season with impeccable shooting, finishing in 19:54.4. Voldiya Galmace-Paulin, also perfect at 10/10, finished second, 9.1 seconds behind, while Celia Henaff, with no misses, placed third, 28.2 seconds back. Botet looks poised to return to the World Cup when the French elite team makes its next reshuffle.

In the men’s standings, Lejeune took over the lead in the IBU Cup Total Score from Norway’s Johannes Dale-Skjevdal, who has joined the World Cup team. Botet retained the green bib in the women’s competition, extending her lead over Sweden’s Anna-Karin Heijdenberg.

Photo: Davide Barbieri: IBU Photo Pool