The sun returned to Hohenzoller Arena for the first team events of the championships, as the Youth and Junior Mixed Relays made their debut. The medal table expanded as new nations stepped onto the podium, highlighted by historic breakthroughs and tightly contested battles in both categories.

Mixed Relay Youth

Austria celebrated its first medal of the championships and its first victory in this discipline, thanks to the quartet of Simon Hechenberger, Matti Pinter, Ilvy Giestheuer, and Selina Ganner. With 0+7, they delivered the best shooting of the field to claim gold. Norway built on last year’s success in this discipline to take silver, while Finland secured third, earning its first-ever Mixed Relay medal at the IBU Youth and Junior World Championships.

Mixed Relay Juniors

The second competition of the day delivered another thrilling contest, as Latvia made history again. The quartet of Matiss Meirans, Rihards Lozbers, Elza Bleidele, and Estere Volfa secured the nation’s first-ever mixed relay medal at the IBU Youth and Junior World Championships. They built their victory primarily on outstanding ski speed, outperforming second-placed Norway by nearly a minute in the combined course times. France completed the podium in third place.

Tomorrow, the championships continue with the Youth Men Sprint, followed by the Junior Men Sprint.

Photos: Deubert/IBU