Home Team Sweden Victorious in Single Mixed Relay

Sweden’s Sebastian Samuelsson moved into the lead after cleaning his first standing stage in this afternoon’s Oestersund Single Mixed Relay, tagging teammate Ella Halvarsson in first, a position that they never relinquished. Halvarsson, waving to the enthusiastic crowd brought the home team its first victory of the new season in 35:12.1. Today’s victory was the second for the Samuelsson/Halvarsson duo; they won the Kontiolahti Single Mixed Relay exactly one year ago on the opening weekend of the season.

Sebbe’s advice, “Have Fun!”

Although this was her second Single Mixed win, Halvarsson admitted winning at home, “could not better; it was so amazing from start to finish. When Sebbe did the first handover to me he said, ‘Have fun,’ and I really did all the way.”

“So shaky” in last standing

As for the last standing stage with Norway chasing and then using two spare rounds, “When I go to the last shooting, I felt quite confident, but while I stood there, I was so shaky and I knew it. I had a lead. If I missed, it was not so sure, so it was a tough one. I am so happy we made it!”

Norway with Sturla Holm Laegreid and Maren Kirkeeide, finished second, 19.1 seconds back with six spares, two more than the winner’s four spares. France with Fabien Claude and Camile Bened took third, 37.3 seconds back after Bened outsprinted Germany’s Marlene Fichtner in the last 30 meters for the final podium spot.

Germany with three spares finished .5 seconds off the podium. Austria with four spares finished fifth, 56 seconds back while Switzerland finished sixth, with nine spares, 1:01.8 back.

Sweden Takes Control Early

The season’s first single mixed relay featured teams from 24 nations on a cloudy -3 afternoon. Laegreid opened the first leg with a clean prone, leading the next five teams also perfect within 2.8 seconds. Samuelsson cleaned standing faster than anyone, handing Halvarsson a one-second lead that ballooned as the competition evolved. Five quick prone shots and Halvarsson was gone with clean-shooting Bened trailing by 8 seconds.

After one spare in standing, Halvarsson tagged Samuelsson 6 seconds before Laegreid. Samuelsson’s cleaned both prone and standing, pushing the lead out to 13 seconds over Norway with Germany moving up to third, 30 seconds back. Despite a single spare in her final prone stage, Halvarsson bumped the lead up to 24 seconds as Kirkeeide needed all three spares; Marlene Fichtner held third for Germany.

2025/26 BMW IBU World Cup 1 Single Mixed Relay

Sprint Finish for Third

With a comfortable lead and the crowd cheering every shot, Halvarsson used two spares in the final standing, securing the victory, and finishing with hands held high waving to the adoring home crowd. Kirkeeide followed 14 seconds back. Camille Bened added some excitement as she outsprinted Fichtner in the final meters, grabbing third place for France.

Photos: IBU/Per Danielsson, Christian Manzoni, Nordic Focus