Competition resumed at the first stop on the IBU World Cup in snowy Ostersund, Sweden with the women's 7.5km sprint event. The first biathletes on the course skied through a layer of fresh powder after heavy snow fell during zeroing (when athletes make their final rifle checks) before the race started.

Suvi Minkkinen of Finland had a day she'll never forget after winning the first World Cup gold of her career. The 30-year-old finished atop the podium in a time of 20:11.9 and was perfect from the shooting range. The win was Finland's first gold since 2020.

Sweden's Anna Magnusson also shot clean and finished 16.6 seconds behind the top spot to earn second place in the race in front of her home crowd. Oceane Michelon of France narrowly was edged out of the second spot, finishing just 4.2 seconds behind Magnusson to capture the final podium spot.

For Team USA, Margie Freed accrued her first World Cup points of the season after finishing 35th overall.

Minkkinen will wear the yellow bib for the first time in her career when competition resumes for the women's field on Dec. 7.

World Cup competition continues Saturday in Ostersund for the men with the 10km sprint. The men and women will be back in action on Dec. 7 for the men's 12.5km pursuit and the women's 10km pursuit events.