Ukraine finished tenth in the mixed relay in Otepää, which marked the final team event of the 2025/26 Biathlon World Cup season. The Swedish team won the race.
The competition, which took place on Sunday 15 March, marked the culmination of the eighth stage of the World Cup in Otepää, Estonia. The Ukrainian team was represented by Dmytro Pidruchnyi, Vitalii Mandzyn, Khrystyna Dmytrenko and Daryna Chalyk.
In the first leg, Pidruchnyi faced difficulties, incurring two penalty loops during his first shooting, which meant he handed over the baton in 19th position. Vitalii Mandzyn also incurred a penalty loop, but managed to pull the team up to 16th place at the halfway stage. Khristina Dmytrenko managed to lift Ukraine to 13th place during her leg, and Daryna Chalyk finished the race, securing the team’s place in the top 10.
Throughout the race, the Ukrainian team used 12 extra rounds and finished the relay in tenth place, 2 minutes and 19.2 seconds behind the winner.
Sweden won the race, despite one penalty loop and 14 extra rounds. Switzerland finished second thanks to clean shooting (no penalty loops and 6 extra rounds), whilst the US team took third place.
The top three:
1. Sweden (1+14) – 1:16:32.0
2. Switzerland (0+6) – +28.6
3. USA (0+14) – +34.6
Slovakia and Germany also made up the top five.
The final ninth stage of the World Cup will take place in Holmenkollen, Norway, from 19 to 22 March, bringing the 2025/26 season to a close.
As a reminder, Sturla Laegreid set a record in the World Cup pursuit and won his fourth consecutive gold medal.
