Biathlon World Cup Oberhof: Preview, schedule, how to watch

Biathlon World Cup Oberhof: athletes to watch

The German crowd will have plenty to cheer for as Franziska Preuss takes to the snow in the yellow bib. Leading the overall rankings, the Beijing 2022 Olympic bronze medallist has been a model of consistency this season.

Joining her is Sophia Schneider, a name that’s generating buzz ahead of her World Cup debut in Oberhof. Schneider’s silver-medal performance at the 2023 World Championships in this very venue proves she’s no stranger to pressure. Now, under the watchful eyes of the home crowd, she’ll look to harness that momentum and make her mark at the senior level.

Chasing Preuss is Sweden’s Elvira Oberg, who holds second place in the standings. Elvira has her sights set on claiming the top spot.

Adding to Sweden’s firepower is the much-anticipated return of her sister, Hanna Oberg. The two-time Olympic champion and three-time world champion missed the last competition due to illness, but is back to prove why she’s one of the sport’s greatest talents.

They will face stiff competition in the form of Austria’s 2021 mass start world champion Lisa Theresa Hauser and France’s Justine Braisaz-Bouchet, the reigning Olympic mass start champion.

Bouchet’s compatriot and rising star Paula Botet also steps into the spotlight, earning her World Cup spot after impressive early-season results, replacing Sophie Chauveau on the French roster.

On the men’s side, Johannes Thingnes Bø of Norway is the name on everyone’s lips. With five Olympic gold medals and a string of World Cup victories this season, Bø is the embodiment of dominance.

Sweden’s Sebastian Samuelsson, the 2018 relay Olympic champion and 2023 Oberhof mass start world champion, is still on the quest to accomplish his season goal of beating Bø. Samuelsson’s versatility has earned him world medals across six different disciplines, and at 27, he’s far from done.

Martin Ponsiluoma, another Swedish standout, adds to the team’s strength. With seven world medals and recent podiums in Kontiolahti and Hochfilzen, Ponsiluoma is peaking at just the right time.

France’s squad is stacked with talent, from Quentin Fillon-Maillet, the five-time Olympic medallist from Beijing 2022, to Émilien Jacquelin, currently ranked third overall.

As the first race looms, questions abound. Will Preuss and Schneider deliver on home soil? Can Elvira Oberg outshine her returning sister? And will Johannes Bø continue his reign, or will rivals rise to the occasion?

Read on to discover where you can watch all the action.