The IBU Para Biathlon World Cup season is entering its decisive phase. Before athletes turn their full attention to preparations for the Paralympic Games, the Crystal Globe winners for the 2025/26 season will be decided. With two races remaining in Jakuszyce, some overall standings appear settled, while others promise a battle that will go down to the final meters.

One of the most open fights is in the men’s standing category. After seven of nine races, Benjamin Daviet leads the standings by just one point over Mark Arendz. The showdown will take place in Jakuszyce, where Saturday’s Sprint Pursuit and Sunday’s Individual will decide whether Arendz secures his fifth Crystal Globe or Daviet claims his third.

Another title still very much up for grabs is in the men’s vision impaired category. The duel is an all-German affair, with Lennart Volkert holding a 20-point advantage over Nico Messinger. Anthony Chalencon sits third, 46 points behind, after struggling to match the form he showed at the start of the season in Canmore. Last season’s Crystal Globe winner, Iaroslav Reshetynskyi, will not defend his title, as several absences have left him only eleventh overall.

In contrast, Anja Wicker is firmly on course to defend her Crystal Globe in the women’s sitting category. The German has missed the podium just twice all season and holds a commanding 70-point lead over Oksana Masters. While Masters’ form has improved significantly in recent weeks, overturning such a gap with Wicker maintaining her consistency appears highly unlikely.

In other categories, the overall leaders are athletes who have not yet won a Crystal Globe. One example is Johanna Recktenwald, who leads the women’s vision impaired standings by 80 points over Carina Edlingerová, having secured two victories this season - the Individual in Canmore and the Sprint in Notschrei.

In the men’s sitting category, Derek Zaplotinsky is closing in on the overall title. The 40-year-old Canadian has not won a race or reached the podium this season, but his remarkable consistency has earned him a 92-point lead over Scott Meenagh.

The most significant margin of all belongs to Natalie Wilkie. Thanks to five victories this winter, she holds a 118-point advantage in the women’s standing category. Barring an extraordinary turn of events, Wilkie is on course to secure the first Crystal Globe of her career.

For the second consecutive year, the fight for the Nations Cup title will go down to the final day. Last season, Germany missed out on the trophy by just 25 points to Ukraine; this time, they hold a 50-point advantage over Canada. The question of who will receive the Crystal Globe from IBU Race Director Tomi-Pekka Riihivuori will be answered on Sunday afternoon after two final races of the season. One thing is already sure: these will be the earliest Crystal Globes awarded in IBU history.

Photos: IBU | Wlaźlak