Day 6 marked the final day of the individual competitions at the Youth Junior World Championships in Arber. The program was packed with four Mass Start 60 races across all categories, bringing intense head-to-head battles and an exciting conclusion to the individual events.

Junior Men Mass Start 60

Norway’s Kasper Kalkenberg defended his Mass Start 60 title and claimed his eighth gold medal at the Youth and Junior World Championships, setting a new record. With a total of 14 medals, he also became the most decorated athlete in YJWCH history. Estonia’s Jakob Kulbin finished second to secure his country’s first medal of the championships, while Sweden’s Philip Lindkvist-Floetten completed the podium in third place.

Junior Women Mass Start 60

Ukraine’s Oleksandra Merkushyna won gold thanks to the fastest shooting time despite three misses. Wednesday’s sprint winner Estere Volfa of Latvia finished second; although she was again the fastest on the course, four shooting errors proved too costly. Third place went to her teammate Elza Bleidele, who recorded the same shooting score.

The small crystal globes for the Mass Start 60 discipline, as well as the big crystal globes for the IBU Junior Cup Total Score, were awarded to Austria’s Thomas Marchl in the men’s category and to Estere Volfa of Latvia in the women’s category.

Youth Men Mass Start 60

The afternoon races opened with the youth categories. Bulgaria’s Georgi Dzhorgov celebrated the gold medal after recovering from an early fall and a miss on the first shooting stage, shooting clean for the remainder of the race. The most successful youth athlete of the championships, Latvia’s Rihards Lozbers, finished second; despite seven misses and leaving the final shooting in fifth place, he powered his way to silver with a strong final lap. Finland’s Thomas Latvalahti secured the bronze medal.

Youth Women Mass Start 60

The final race of the day delivered drama until the last lap, with five athletes battling for the podium. Austria’s Selina Ganner came out on top, claiming gold despite three misses on the shooting range. France’s Adele Ouvrier Buffet finished second, while the winner’s compatriot Ilvy Giestheuer secured bronze in a sprint finish.

The final weekend in Arber will feature relay competitions, starting on Saturday with the Youth and Junior Men’s relays.

Photos: Deubert/IBU