Olympic champion Maren Kirkeeide continued her dominant run of form on Friday, April 10, 2026, capturing both the national title and the prestigious kongepokal.
Kirkeeide, who previously stunned the field by winning the Olympic sprint in Italy this February, proved too strong for the competition in Friday’s national championships. She crossed the finish line 27.4 seconds ahead of Tandrevold, who claimed the silver medal thanks to an impressive pace in the tracks despite missing shots even as standing.
Reflecting on the grueling race, Kirkeeide described the effort as “really tough from start to finish,” noting that the climbs were particularly demanding and forced her to take risks in other areas of the course.
This victory further cements Kirkeeide’s status as a powerhouse in biathlon. The 23-year-traditional Norwegian has enjoyed a stellar 2025-26 campaign, which includes securing the overall Under 23 World Cup title in Holmenkollen this March. Her recent success at the national level follows a trajectory of rapid ascent, from her initial international breakthrough at the 2022 Junior World Championships in Soldier Hollow to her current standing as an Olympic gold medalist.
With the national gold and the kongepokal now in her possession, Kirkeeide continues to establish herself as a dominant force in the sport.
