As the new season approaches, it is time to look back to the summer filled with happy moments amongst the biathlon family. As the biathlon athletes said 'I do', wedding bells rang multiple times. We are also getting ready to welcome some new members to the biathlon family!

Two Norwegian weddings

It was a busy summer for the Norwegian biathlon team as two of the brightest stars walked down the aisle. In the last edition of the family news we talked about Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold's bachelorette party and only a few weeks later she had her dream wedding at the Norwegian countryside. In the beginning of July Tarjei Boe married his long time girlfriend Gita Simonsen in a beautiful ceremony by the fjords!

Say hello to Mrs. Linn Gestblom

If you are looking for Linn Persson on the start list next season you will not find the name. The Swedish World Championship medalist had a heartfelt wedding in her birthplace Torsby. She adopted her husband Christian's last name so now we know her as Linn Gestblom!

Taras Lesiuk's dream wedding

The Ukrainian biathlete Taras Lesiuk announced his marriage in Instagram this May by a simple black and white photo of the couple. The wedding party also saw some other Ukrainian biathletes as his teammate Vitalii Mandzyn served as a best man.

Baby on board and a 'I do' in the Finnish biathlon team

Olli Hiidensalo, who got married to his wife Elisa back in August 2023, shared the happy news via Instagram post: "If everything goes well there will be one more Hiidensalo by the end of the year". We wish all the best for the Hiidensalos!

The team also celebrated a wedding as Heikki Laitinen, who achieved his career best in Ruhpolding last season, said hello to the married life.

Janina Hettich-Walz, mom-to-be!

Last winter's World Championship medalist Janina Hettich-Walz will not be at the start gate this upcoming season for the best reason; she is expecting her first child together with her husband. The wait to welcome the new family member is already more than halfway and she is planning to join the team again for the Milano Cortina Olympics in 2026.

Austrian wedding

Julia Leitinger, nee Schwaiger, said 'I do' by the Austrian alps this September. The couple was sent off to the marriage under Salomon skis and surrounded by family and friends. Congratulations!

Wedding bells also rang for the British biathlete Marcus Webb who is currently pursuing a place in the Milano Cortina Olympics 2026. Another happy family update came from former Swedish biathlete Ingela Andersson as she announced the birth of her first child. She welcomed the new family member with partner Erlend at the end of May.

Photos: Athlete's family albums, Lisa Staudinger