Franziska Preuss and Johannes Thingnes Boe played central roles in Hochfilzen as they left Austria as the new Total Score leaders. The French men beat the Norwegians for the second time this winter in the Relay, and Elvira Oeberg’s shooting accuracy dropped to worrying levels after such a brilliant start in Kontiolahti. Elsewhere the juniors started their campaign in South Tirol.

Seizing the momentum: Franziska Preuss and the German women’s relay team

Preuss and the German women's team left Kontiolahti with the wind in their sails and they went from strength to strength in Hochfilzen, buoyed by the substantial support of German fans. Preuss won in the Sprint for only her second win in the BMW IBU World Cup, finished third in the Pursuit, and anchored the German women's relay to their first win since Oberhof 2020/2021.

There was even more good news for Germany in Austria: while Preuss took and kept the yellow bib, Vanessa Voigt achieved her first podium of the season with a second place in the Pursuit, Selina Grotian scored her first-ever flower podium with fifth place in the Sprint and rising star Julia Tannheimer went toe-to-toe with Justine Braisaz-Bouchet in the second leg of the Relay, kept her nerves steady on the shooting range when the Frenchwoman faltered and laid the foundation for Germany’s win.

Keeping the momentum: France

The French women collected a win in the Pursuit (Lou Jeanmonnot) and second place in the Sprint (Sophie Chauveau) and the Relay. With only Jeanmonnot in top shape, Julia Simon and Braisaz-Bouchet will hope to find their winning touch in front of the sell-out crowd in Annecy-Le Grand Bornand.

The French men had a win in the Relay and two further podiums, with Emilien Jacquelin second in the Pursuit and Fabien Claude third in the Sprint. Jacquelin clocked the fastest course time in the Sprint and in the Pursuit, and anchored the French relay to their second win in-a-row. He looks in terrific form and will be aiming high at Annecy-Le Grand Bornand in front of what will be a raucous crowd.

Arriving in Hochfilzen wearing the yellow bib, Eric Perrot couldn’t keep up with the best, failing to finish in the Top 10 in the Sprint and Pursuit. As for Quentin Fillon Maillet, his shooting accuracy in Hochfilzen was at a miserable 73%, and he looked out of sorts in the individual competitions.

Reversing the momentum: Norwegian men

With France taking the Sprint, Mass start and Relay in Kontiolahti, the Norwegian men had plenty to prove in Hochfilzen. They answered their doubters in style. JT Boe achieved his fourth Hochfilzen Sprint-Pursuit double, and Sturla Holm-Laegreid added two podiums to his season’s tally of four - the only athlete to do so. And, yes, Boe and Laegreid are 1 and 2 in the Total Score standings.

Early worrying signs: Sweden

After a traditionally stellar start to the season in the Nordics, Sweden - again - has not transitioned smoothly to the snow in Central Europe. Sebastian Samuelsson fought hard to finish sixth in the Sprint and fourth in the Pursuit, but his grand ambition to win the Total Score is already in danger with Boe 131 points ahead of him after just five competitions.

Although Samuelsson remained competitive, Elvira Oeberg's inconsistent shooting accuracy—she achieved 76.5% in the individual competitions—led to her losing the yellow bib and expending significant energy in seven penalty loops. She will hope to get her mojo back in France, where she has won three times in the past.

Juniors a wide open field, but German athletes take the lead

Elias Seidl of Germany won in the Sprint and Pursuit at the IBU Junior Cup in Ridnaun-Val Ridanna and took the lead in the Total Score standings for Junior Men. There were nine different athletes on the podium positions in the Junior Women's competitions. Despite not winning any competitions, Alina Nussbricker showed the most consistent performances and is the Total Score leader for Junior Women.

Photo: IBU/Yevenko, Deubert; Nordic Focus/Christian Manzoni