The 2024/25 BMW IBU World Cup season history; it’s time for a quick look back at the last four action-packed months. Our preseason experts Kaisa Makarainen, Denise Herrman-Wick, Dario Puppo, Mona Brorsson, and Weronika Nowakowska shared their thoughts on subjects like the Boe brother's retirement to the rise of Oceane Michelon.

Biggest Surprise?

Thinking of the old adage, “It’s biathlon, anything can happen,” what was the biggest surprise this past season? The answers varied from Denise’s "Paula Botet's Oberhof Sprint win" to Kaisa’s, “Suvi Minkkinen’s super shape from Kontiolahti to the Oslo podium.”

From a different perspective, Puppo admitted, “No World Cup Relay by the Norwegian men. They won World Championships Gold, but with their roster and previous record, that’s the biggest surprise of the year!”

Nowakowska and Brorsson concurred on, “The announcement of the end of the Boe brothers' career just one year before the Olympic Games.”

Newcomer of the Year

Nowakowska, “Definitely Campbell Wright.”

Brorsson, “Ella Halvarsson, first World Cup season, with a podium and a WCH Silver medal!”

Herrman-Wick, Makarainen and Puppo agreed on Oceane Michelon. The Italian explained, “My choice, because of the mass start last loop. She showed her ability on the tracks, will remain near the top of next year’s standings and might challenge for the Total Score.”

Most impressive on the range and track, male and female?

Brorsson went with, “Franziska Preuss, an easy choice… going with the overall winner…Oslo, represented the whole season so well. Racing her heart out, handling all the pressure, excellent on the track and range, amazing.”

Beyond the Swede’s praise, the group was divided, with Herrman-Wick agreeing about her former teammate’s shooting, but nominating Anamarija Lampic for her track prowess. Kaisa and Puppo both had the similar thoughts, the Finn added, “Braisaz, Lampic and Elvira were strong the whole year. But I’m impressed how well young French girls Michelon and Richard skied.” As for hitting targets, “Through Finnish-colored glasses, Suvi Minkkinen on the range.” Puppo felt Julia Simon made up for her lack of ski form with fast shooting, while Nowakowska threw in her home country’s Natalia Sidorowicz who shot clean in the Oslo Mass Start. On the men’s side behind the rifle, everyone admitted it was a hard call. Kaisa cited, “Eric Perrot (not an easy choice), while Nowakowska and Brorsson picked Marin Uldal. The recently retired Swede explained, “Uldal has shown incredible speed on the shooting range…In the coming 2-3 years I expect to see many more following him, loading the rifle with their non-dominant hand.” World Cup Total Score winner Sturla Holm Laegreid and his gaudy 93% range numbers also picked up a vote.

Kaisa, “This race I will remember forever”

In a highlight-filled season, the group found it hard to single out one most-outstanding performance, offering several memorable moments. Herrman-Wick stayed close to home with “Franzi‘s Lenzerheide Pursuit Gold in Lenzerheide and Jakov Fak’s home victory.” Puppo went with Tarjei Boe’s Annecy Le Grand Bornand Sprint win, “He had only one shot to make the team and did it…Johannes’ pure joy was something special.” The season-ending Oslo Women’s Mass Start earned Brorsson’s praise but Kaisa, who had many big moments summed it up best. “Has there ever been that exciting of a Total Score battle?! Both Lou and Franzi did high level performances!! And what a dramatic ending. My heart rate was super high from the 4th loop till the end, only watching. This race I’ll remember forever.”

Is France the long-term “power team, after the Boe retirements?

The answer was virtually unanimous: France is the team to beat, starting with Herrman-Wick’s resounding “absolutely. They push each other in a positive way on the track and range, with a lot of young talented, rebellious athletes to challenge the experienced ones.” The Polish World Championships medalist added, “They have the perfect combination of experience and youth.” Kaisa was sure about the French women, who have already shown their power. Their future looks bright…I think Norwegian men will still challenge France. They dominated the IBU Cup as the French ladies did.”

The Italian Eurosport commentator was the only doubter, “France needs another season from Fillon Maillet like the second part of this season and Emilien Jacquelin to be as good and consistent as he was this season to step up and pass Norway.”

Returning home, our experts had season-ending work to do. Herman-Wick planned to “wash my clothes first.” Kaisa realized winter not over, “After two weeks in Helsinki as expert (co-commentator), I came home and had to do some snow-work in my front yard to drive in!”

That’s a wrap!

Photos: IBU/ Nordnes, Christian Manzoni, Nordic Focus