Winter Olympics 2026: France win biathlon relay, glory for Oftebro in Nordic combined – live

The Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 reached a fever pitch on Tuesday, February 17, as history was written across the snow-dusted landscapes of Italy. In a day defined by resilient comebacks and individual brilliance, France secured a monumental first-ever gold medal in the men's biathlon relay, while Norway's Jens Luraas Oftebro solidified his status as a Nordic combined legend by capturing his second gold of the Games. From the Antholz-Anterselva Biathlon Arena to the cross-country tracks of Tesero, the atmosphere was electric as the world's elite athletes pushed their limits in pursuit of Olympic immortality.

The day's narrative was dominated by the French biathlon squad, who overcame early setbacks to dethrone the reigning champions, and Oftebro, whose tactical mastery in the Nordic combined large hill event proved unbeatable. As the sun set over the Dolomites, the medal table saw significant shifts, with France celebrating a record-breaking haul and Norway continuing its traditional winter sports dominance.

France Secures Historic First Gold in Men's Biathlon Relay

In what will be remembered as one of the most thrilling races in Olympic biathlon history, the French quartet of Fabien Claude, Emilien Jacquelin, Quentin Fillon-Maillet, and Eric Perrot delivered a performance for the ages. Coming into the event, Norway was the heavy favorite, having won gold in Beijing 2022 and leading the World Cup standings. However, the French team was determined to end their long wait for a relay title.

The race started precariously for Les Bleus. Fabien Claude, taking the opening leg, struggled on the standing stage and was forced into a 150m penalty loop. At the first exchange, France languished in 13th place, nearly 50 seconds behind the Norwegian leaders. It seemed the dream of gold was slipping away before it had truly begun. But the resilience of the French team shone through in the subsequent legs.

Emilien Jacquelin's Charge: Jacquelin produced a sensational second leg, skiing with aggressive intent and shooting with precision. He hauled France back into the lead pack, passing several nations to put France within striking distance of the podium. Quentin Fillon-Maillet's Stability: The veteran Fillon-Maillet took the third leg, maintaining a steady pace and keeping France in the top three alongside Finland and Sweden, while Norway's Johan-Olav Botn suffered a disastrous shooting round that dropped the favorites down the order. Eric Perrot's Golden Anchor: The 24-year-old anchor, Eric Perrot, entered the final leg with the weight of a nation on his shoulders. Despite a tense final standing shoot where he missed twice, Perrot avoided the penalty loop and powered through the final lap to cross the finish line in 1:19:55.2.

The victory marked France's first-ever Olympic gold in the men's 4x7.5km relay. Norway recovered to take the silver, finishing 9.8 seconds back, while Sweden claimed the bronze. For France, this was more than just a win; it was their 16th medal of the Milano Cortina Games, setting a new national record for the most medals won at a single Winter Olympics.

Quentin Fillon-Maillet Becomes France's Greatest Winter Olympian

Beyond the team success, the relay gold carried immense personal significance for Quentin Fillon-Maillet. By standing atop the podium on Tuesday, Fillon-Maillet claimed his eighth career Olympic medal, officially surpassing the legendary Martin Fourcade to become the most decorated French Winter Olympian of all time. This milestone cements his legacy as one of the greatest biathletes to ever compete.

Fillon-Maillet's journey at Milano Cortina 2026 has been nothing short of spectacular. Earlier in the Games, he secured gold in the men's 10km sprint and contributed to a victory in the mixed relay. His ability to perform under the intense pressure of the Olympic stage has been the backbone of the French team's success. "It is a different feeling now," Fillon-Maillet remarked after the race. "In Beijing, it was about the new titles. Today, there is so much emotion because of what we achieved as a team and what it means for French sport history."

The 33-year-old's veteran presence was crucial during the relay, providing a calm middle leg that allowed Eric Perrot to anchor with confidence. As he approaches the twilight of his career, Fillon-Maillet has ensured that his name will be etched at the very top of the French record books for generations to come.

Jens Luraas Oftebro Doubles Down with Nordic Combined Large Hill Gold

While France was making history in biathlon, Norway was asserting its expected dominance in the Nordic combined. Jens Luraas Oftebro proved to be the undisputed king of the discipline at Milano Cortina 2026, winning his second individual gold medal of the Games in the Gundersen large hill/10km event. Having already won the normal hill title on February 11, Oftebro entered Tuesday's competition with high expectations but faced a stiff challenge from Austria's Johannes Lamparter.

The competition followed the standard Nordic combined format: a high-stakes ski jumping round followed by a 10km cross-country pursuit. In the jumping segment on the large hill, Japan's Ryota Yamamoto took the lead, with Lamparter close behind. Oftebro finished the jumping round in fifth place, facing a 22-second deficit heading into the ski race. For many, this gap would be insurmountable, but Oftebro is known for his explosive speed on the tracks.

The 10km race at the Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium was a tactical masterclass. Oftebro quickly closed the gap to the leaders, joining Lamparter at the front by the midpoint of the race. The two stayed neck-and-neck for much of the final laps, testing each other's endurance on the icy, fast course. On the penultimate climb, Oftebro launched a fierce attack that Lamparter simply could not answer. The Norwegian powered into the stadium alone, finishing in 24:45.0 to secure his third career Olympic gold medal.

"It means a lot to win my second gold medal of these Games," Oftebro said following his victory. "I had dreamed about winning one, but to do it again on the large hill, especially after struggling a bit on this hill earlier in the season, is an amazing feeling." Austria's Lamparter took his second silver of the Games, while Finland's Ilkka Herola secured the bronze.

Olympic Drama: Julia Simon and the Women's 15km Individual

The day was not without its share of controversy and drama. In the women's 15km individual biathlon, France's Julia Simon claimed the gold medal with a dominant skiing performance, overcoming a single shooting miss. However, the victory was shadowed by the ongoing personal and legal tensions within the French team. Simon, who recently returned from a suspension related to a legal dispute involving teammate Justine Braisaz-Bouchet, remained focused solely on her sport.

As Simon crossed the finish line, she placed a finger to her lips in a "shushing" gesture—a move she later explained was intended for a specific person but refused to elaborate further. The tension within the French camp has been a recurring theme throughout the Games, yet it has not seemed to hinder their performance on the snow. With Lou Jeanmonnot taking silver in the same race, France's biathlon program continues to be the gold standard of the 2026 Winter Olympics.

As Milano Cortina 2026 moves into its final days, the performances of athletes like Fillon-Maillet and Oftebro serve as a reminder of the incredible dedication required to reach the Olympic podium. With more medals still up for grabs, the world continues to watch as the best in the winter world compete for glory in Italy.

Winter Olympics 2026: France win biathlon relay, glory for Oftebro in Nordic combined – live

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