Team USA has added three more biathletes to its roster for the Winter Olympic 2026 in Milan-Cortina. The final day of the 2025 IBU World Cup season took place in Annecy Le Grand Bornand, France. The events included the women’s 12.5km and men’s 15km mass start races. The last stop of the World Cup year showcased tight finishes, dramatic racing, and crucial Olympic qualifications for the U.S. team.
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Performances in these races cemented the names of athletes who will represent the United States next year. Deedra Irwin led the way for the women. She finished 13th overall in the mass start, securing her spot for the Winter Olympic 2026. This will be Irwin’s second Olympics after competing in Beijing in 2022. Her consistent form throughout the season made her qualification inevitable.
Margie Freed also earned a place on the Olympic team. This will mark her debut at the Winter Olympic 2026. Freed’s strong finishes during the World Cup season and her performance in Annecy confirmed her selection. Her qualification reflects the growing depth of the U.S. women’s biathlon team.
For the men, Maxime Germain earned his first Olympic berth. He will join Campbell Wright, who had qualified earlier this year, to form a competitive U.S. men’s squad for Milan Cortina. Germain’s steady racing and ability to maintain pace in mass start events earned him the selection.
Thrilling Women’s Mass Start in France | Buy Winter Olympic 2026 Tickets
The women’s 12.5km mass start offered a spectacular conclusion to the 2025 IBU World Cup season. Norway’s Maren Kirkeeide claimed her first-ever World Cup victory. She crossed the line in 32:53.2. Kirkeeide narrowly edged out two French athletes in the final stretch. Lou Jeanmonnot finished second, just 0.3 seconds behind the Norwegian winner.
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Jeanmonnot had previously won gold in the 10km pursuit earlier in the season in front of the home crowd. Justine Braisaz-Bouchet took the final podium spot, trailing Jeanmonnot by only 0.5 seconds. The race highlighted the competitiveness of the women’s field. It was a fitting conclusion to the year’s World Cup calendar.
Team USA’s Deedra Irwin held her own in the race. Her 13th-place finish was strong and confirmed her selection for the Winter Olympic 2026. Margie Freed’s performance further strengthened the U.S. women’s presence at the Games.
Men’s Mass Start Brings Italian Triumph | Purchase Olympic Tickets
The men’s 15km mass start was equally exciting. Italy’s Tommaso Giacomel dominated the race and took gold in commanding fashion. He crossed the finish line in 33:35.1 while proudly waving the Italian flag. France’s Eric Perrot finished second, 18.1 seconds behind Giacomel. Norway’s Vetle Sjaastad Christiansen claimed third, trailing Perrot by 3.2 seconds.
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The race was closely contested behind the Italian winner, making for a thrilling spectacle for fans. U.S. athlete Campbell Wright finished seventh in the mass start. His performance ensured he remains a key part of the U.S. men’s team for the Winter Olympic 2026. Maxime Germain’s earlier strong finishes had already secured his spot, giving the U.S. a solid duo for the Games.
Standout Performers and Overall Leaders | Buy Winter Olympic Tickets
The 2025 IBU World Cup season concluded with impressive individual performances. On the women’s side, Lou Jeanmonnot of France maintained her position as the overall World Cup leader. Her consistency throughout the season has been remarkable. For the men, Norway’s Johan-Olav Botn continues to lead the leaderboard by more than 100 points.
His performances in various events show his dominance and control over the field. Team USA’s new qualifiers—Irwin, Freed, and Germain—join established athletes like Campbell Wright. This combination provides balance and experience for the upcoming Winter Olympic 2026.
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After the holidays, the IBU World Cup season resumes on January 8 in Oberhof, Germany. Athletes will compete in sprint, pursuit, and mass start events. These competitions serve as preparation for the Winter Olympic 2026. Team USA will continue to test its athletes against the world’s best.
Training and competition in early 2026 will be crucial to finalising strategies for Milan Cortina. The recent Olympic qualifications give confidence to the squad. The performances in Annecy Le Grand Bornand demonstrated the depth and talent of U.S. biathlon. The selection of Irwin, Freed, and Germain highlights the progress of American biathlon on the world stage.
Their inclusion ensures that Team USA heads into the Winter Olympic 2026 with both experience and promising new talent. With the Olympics approaching, focus now shifts to preparation. The U.S. team will aim to compete strongly against seasoned European competitors.
Fans can look forward to seeing Irwin, Freed, Germain, and Wright representing the nation next February. The end of 2025 brought thrilling races, memorable victories, and crucial Olympic qualifications. As the world looks toward Milan Cortina, Team USA is ready to make its mark on the Winter Olympic 2026 stage.
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