Paula Botet of France and Johannes Dale-Skjevdal of Norway, both working hard to re-qualify for their World Cup teams, won convincingly in the first Sprint at the opening IBU Cup of the 2025/2026 season in Obertilliach.

Botet took the lead after the prone stage and never looked back, delivering a perfect day with 10/10 shooting and the fastest ski time. She won in 21:00.0. Alina Stremous of Moldova, also shooting 10/10, climbed from 10th after prone to third after standing and ultimately to second with a powerful final lap. She finished 44.2 seconds behind the winner. Voldiya Galmace Paulin, also from France, had one miss in standing and finished third, 50.8 seconds behind Botet.

Dale-Skjevdal, with one miss in standing, overpowered the men’s field on the skis and won in 16:22.9. Oscar Lombardot of France, shooting clean, finished second, 49.1 seconds behind Dale-Skjevdal. David Zobel of Germany, with one miss in standing, completed the podium, 51.4 seconds behind the Norwegian.

Photo: Léo Authamayou: IBU Pool