IBU World Cup competition kicked off in Oberhof, Germany with the men's 10km and the women's 7.5km sprint events. What should have been a joyous day back to biathlon competition in the new year was overshadowed by the loss of one of the sport's own over the holiday break.

27-year-old Norwegian biathlete Sivert Guttorm Bakken died during training camp in Lavaze, Italy on Dec. 23, according to the International Biathlon Union. Bakken's official cause of death has not yet been announced. 

The athletes and spectators paid tribute to the life and legacy of Bakken before the men's sprint on a somber, overcast and snowy day in Oberhof.

As expected, the men's sprint was packed with emotion from start to finish, as fellow biathletes mourned the loss of Bakken within such a tight-knit sport community. 

In the end, it was Bakken's close friend and training partner, Tommaso Giacomel, who sprinted across the finish line in 25 minutes and 1.7 seconds for the win and pointed to the sky to honor the late Norwegian.

The Italian biathlete said after his victory that the day was full of mixed feelings. "It's at the same time one of the saddest and also one of the best (days) on the sports side. But I think Sivert would be really proud of me today. On the last loop, the coaches told me you're doing that for yourself, but also for him and I think this gave me something more to give," Giacomel said.

German biathlete Philipp Nawrath finished 13.2 seconds behind Giacomel to earn silver in front of a roaring home crowd.

Bakken's Norwegian teammate Johannes Dale-Skjevdal claimed the final spot on the podium after he finished 25.2 seconds behind the Italian winner.

All three biathletes on the podium finished with one penalty after they just missed once on the shooting range.

Team USA's Campbell Wright finished 10th overall in the 10km sprint. It's the fifth time so far this season that Wright has finished in the top 10.

In the women's 7.5km sprint, Sweden's Elvira Oeberg was perfect from the windy range and took home the victory after she crossed the finish in 22 minutes and 0.6 seconds.

"Today I really only focused on myself. I 100% only focused on my skiing, my shooting and it turned out good," Oeberg said after she claimed her first win and first podium of the World Cup season.

Suvi Minkkinen of Finland also shot lights out and claimed second after she finished 21.1 seconds behind Oeberg.

French biathlete Julia Simon snagged the final podium spot after she sprinted to the finish just 2.5 seconds later than Minkkinen.

Luci Anderson was the top finisher for the U.S. women, she placed 21st overall in the sprint field.

Competition continues in Oberhof with the men's 12.5km pursuit and the women's 4x6km relay.