Ukrainian Biathlete Secures First World Cup Mass Start of the Season

Ukrainian Athlete Reaches World Cup Milestone

According to Главком: For the first time in the 2025/26 World Cup season, a Ukrainian biathlete has qualified for a mass start race. This achievement came at the sixth World Cup stage in Nové Město, Czech Republic, where a 15th-place finish in the short individual event secured him a spot among the top 30 competitors eligible for the mass start. Qualifying for a mass start is a significant accomplishment, as it features the season's top-ranked athletes in a highly competitive field.

Schedule and Olympic Team Selection

The men's mass start is scheduled for January 25th at 16:15 Kyiv time. In contrast, the Ukrainian women's team did not qualify for their mass start event this weekend. Meanwhile, the women's biathlon squad has finalized its roster for the 2026 Winter Olympics, which will be held from February 8th to 21st.

• Khrystyna Dmytrenko
• Yuliia Dzhima
• Daryna Chalyk
• Olena Horodna
• Oleksandra Merkushina

One additional biathlete will be selected as a reserve based on performance at the European Championships. The contenders for this alternate position are:

• Anastasiia Merkushina
• Valeriia Dmytrenko
• Liliia Steblyna

This ongoing selection process highlights the depth of talent within Ukrainian women's biathlon as the team builds towards the Olympic Games.

This marks a pivotal moment for Ukrainian biathlon, as it is the first time this season an athlete has earned the right to compete at this elite level in a mass start.

Success in the World Cup can serve as a crucial stepping stone in Olympic preparation, where the Ukrainian athletes will aim to deliver their best performances. The team's progress comes amid a period where Ukrainian sports continue to compete with determination on the global stage.