Maren Kirkeeide Wins Milan/Cortina Sprint Gold with Spectacular Last Loop
Milan/Cortina, February 14, 2026 – Norwegian Olympic rookie Maren Kirkeeide secured the Gold medal in the Milan/Cortina Women’s 7.5 km Sprint, never leading the race until a spectacular final loop propelled her into first place in the last few hundred meters. Kirkeeide’s clean-shooting victory, achieved in 20:40.8, marks only the second World Cup level win of her career and her first individual podium in a major championship.
A Dramatic Finish Secures Gold
Kirkeeide’s impressive last loop was critical in pushing France’s clean-shooting Oceane Michelon into the Silver medal position. Michelon, also an Olympic rookie, finished 3.8 seconds behind Kirkeeide in her first-ever Olympic start. Michelon’s teammate, Lou Jeanmonnot, secured the Bronze medal, despite one penalty, finishing 23.7 seconds back.
Top Performances and Close Contests
Bulgaria’s Milena Todorova, with one penalty, finished fourth, 40 seconds behind the winner. Italy’s Lisa Vittozzi, shooting clean, took fifth place, just 0.6 seconds behind Todorova. Finland’s Suvi Minkkinen also shot clean, securing sixth place, 49.6 seconds back.
Kirkeeide’s Rising Star
Maren Kirkeeide’s performance highlights her emergence as a significant force in biathlon. Her ability to maintain composure for a clean shoot and then deliver an explosive final loop demonstrates her potential for future successes. This victory at the Olympic Winter Games in Milan/Cortina will undoubtedly be a career-defining moment for the young Norwegian biathlete.
The event, part of the Olympic Winter Games, showcased intense competition and thrilling finishes, captivating biathlon fans worldwide. The Milan/Cortina venues proved to be a challenging yet exciting backdrop for these elite athletes.
The results underscore the depth of talent in women’s biathlon, with both seasoned competitors and rising stars making their mark on the Olympic stage. The clean-shooting performances by Kirkeeide, Michelon, Vittozzi, and Minkkinen highlight the importance of precision on the shooting range, while the dramatic final loop by Kirkeeide emphasizes the critical role of endurance and strategic pacing.
The biathlon community will be eagerly watching these athletes as the Olympic Winter Games continue, with more exciting races anticipated. Kirkeeide’s gold medal sets a high bar and promises a thrilling continuation of the biathlon events.
Source: https://www.biathlonworld.com/news/maren-kirkeeide-wins-milan-cortina-womens-7-5-km-sprint/3MLXg4tjkeMsKatmiHeeqV
