Hanna Öberg claimed her first biathlon World Cup victory since 2023 by winning the sprint in Annecy, France. The Swedish star shot clean in both shooting positions and finished with a strong surge that secured the win by 3.3 seconds.
Hanna Öberg demonstrated Olympic form in the biathlon World Cup sprint in Annecy on December 18, 2025. She shot perfectly in both prone and standing positions, with no misses, and engaged in a tight battle with Frenchwoman Lou Jeanmonnot. Öberg started the final lap 3.9 seconds behind Jeanmonnot but won overall by 3.3 seconds, having gained 7.2 seconds on the sprint lap.
"It feels great, I managed to put all the pieces in place," Öberg told SVT. She described her finish as brutal and noted it was relieving to see first place next to her name. This marks Öberg's 12th World Cup victory and her first individual win since the mass start in Oslo in 2023. "It means a lot. I feel better this year but haven't had a full hit yet," she added.
SVT expert Mona Brorsson was impressed: "What a finish. I'm lost for words." Lou Jeanmonnot took second place, with Italy's Dorothea Wierer in third. Among other Swedish athletes, Ella Halfvarsson finished 11th, Elvira Öberg 30th, Anna Magnusson 38th, Anna-Karin Heijdenberg 49th, and Sara Andersson 73rd.
The victorious Öberg celebrated with a joyful roar after crossing the finish line, signaling a positive form trajectory ahead of the Olympics.
