Biathlon Otepaa 2026: Live Updates – Mixed Relay & France Disqualification

Following the single mixed relay, the classic mixed relay is next on the schedule in Otepää. As a reminder, here is the list of French athletes competing in the race:

• Oscar Lombardot
• Fabien Claude
• Justine Braisaz-Bouchet
• Océane Michelon

Speaking to L’Équipe, the French athlete reflected on his mistake:

“On that windy standing shot I wanted to push it, and in the heat of the moment I fired four rounds. I apologize to Camille, and to the team. When you receive a little too excited, you can lose your focus.”

Sweden finished second, 1:38.1 behind Norway. Finland rounded out the podium at +1:45.7. Germany and Poland finished in the top five.

Karoline Knotten’s flawless shooting propelled Norway to a dominant victory in this race!

The Finnish athlete had one penalty and is now pushing for a podium spot, revitalizing her team’s chances!

Knotten delivered a brilliant standing shot and is expected to secure the win for Norway. Sweden is also strong, opening the door for the Czech Republic!

It’s now official: France has been disqualified from the mixed relay after Émilien Jacquelin used four rounds of spare ammunition instead of three on the previous shooting stage! A nightmare scenario for the French team…

A strong prone shooting performance puts Norway firmly in the lead, 40.1 seconds ahead of Sweden.

Trouble for the French! Émilien Jacquelin may have used an extra round of spare ammunition, and the situation is currently under video review. Hopefully, it’s a false alarm.

Émilien Jacquelin struggled on the standing shot and incurred two penalty loops. A disastrous turn of events for France!

Thanks to a solid prone shooting stage, Poland has climbed up the standings and is now third, 12.6 seconds off the pace.

The French athlete was outstanding on the prone stage and now leads, 2.2 seconds ahead of Norway!

The French athlete is pushing hard to make up ground and has moved into fourth place. France has closed the gap to within 12 seconds of the leaders!

Norway takes advantage and retakes the lead. A disappointing turn for Camille Bened, who hands over to Émilien Jacquelin in sixth place, 19.9 seconds behind.

Hanna Oeberg is faster on the uphill section and increases Sweden’s advantage. France remains second, 29.3 seconds back.

Hanna Oeberg and Camille Bened both hit all their targets on the prone stage. Sweden leads, with France 22.3 seconds behind. Slovenia is third (+31.6).

The French athlete exits the shooting range in second place, 12.4 seconds behind Samuelsson, who had a clean stage. Lægreid is having trouble on this standing stage, and Norway is now seventh, 32.2 seconds back.

A successful stage could really shake up the relay standings.

The Norwegian sets a fast pace on the skis and takes the lead. Jacquelin is right behind him. Samuelsson is third, 1.2 seconds back.

A strong start for the French athlete, who exits the range in fourth place (+2.2). The Slovenian Fak is currently in the lead.

The biathletes remain closely grouped in the early stages. The first shooting stage is expected to create separation.

Émilien Jacquelin is off in this single mixed relay!

The start of the single mixed relay is just moments away.

With the exception of Émilien Jacquelin, who has been in decent form recently, the French team has decided to rest its leaders today. Lou Jeanmonnot, Julia Simon, Éric Perrot, and Quentin Fillon Maillet will not participate in either relay.

Jeanmonnot and Perrot, currently wearing the yellow bibs, will focus on the overall standings during the final stage of the circuit in Oslo next week.

Good morning! Following yesterday’s pursuit races, the Biathlon World Cup continues today in Otepaa, Estonia, with the relays.

On the schedule:

• 12:35 PM: single mixed relay with Emilien Jacquelin and Camille Bened
• 2:40 PM: classic mixed relay with Oscar Lombardot, Fabien Claude, Justine Braisaz-Bouchet, and Océane Michelon