In Nove Mesto, during the final BMW IBU World Cup week before the biathlon competitions kick off with the Mixed Relay in Antholz-Anterselva at the Milano–Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, Eric Perrot won the Short Individual and the Mass Start, while Lou Jeanmonnot finished second and fourth. They top the Antholz 2026 Power Rankings and head into the Olympics as the main favourites.

Jeanmonnot is a clear favourite for Antholz

Hanna oeberg, Elvira Oeberg and Maren Kirkeeide all skipped the Nove Mesto week to rest and focus on the Olympic competitions. The French team, as usual, took the view that no preparation is better than competing in the World Cup and claimed victories in the Short Individual with Justine Braisaz-Bouchet (with Jeanmonnot second) and in the Mass Start with Julia Simon (with Océane Michelon second). Franziska Preuß finished third in the Short Individual and Lisa Vittozzi in the Mass Start. Suvi Minkkinen, Anna Magnusson and Dorothea Wierer each had one solid day. Jeanmonnot travels to Antholz-Anterselva as the Total Score leader and the clear Power Rankings favourite.

Perrot in control, Giacomel’s shooting form shaky

In a truly champion-like manner, Eric Perrot won both the Short Individual and the Mass Start without missing a single shot. Tommaso Giacomel missed four shots in the Short Individual and five in the Mass Start and, despite skiing powerfully and bringing home a win for the Italian Mixed Relay, looked slightly out of sorts ahead of the Olympics. The same applies to Swedes Sebastian Samuelsson and Martin Ponsiluoma, who—to their credit—chose to race in Nove Mesto and continue their battle for the Total Score. With the Olympic team preparing for Antholz, Norway fielded a now-healthy Johan-Olav Botn alongside mostly IBU Cup athletes, and both Sverre Dahlen Aspenes, with a career-first World Cup podium in the Mass Start, and Martin Nevland, with fifth place in the Short Individual, seized their opportunities. Like Jeanmonnot, Perrot heads to Antholz-Anterselva as the Total Score leader and the clear Power Rankings favourite.