The third stage of the IBU World Cup season started in Annecy-Le Grand Bornand, France under beautiful, sunny skies for the women's 7.5km sprint competition.

For much of the race, it looked as though Lou Jeanmonnot of France finally would get the victory she's wanted on home soil, but Sweden's Hanna Oeberg decided to spoil the French fête.

Oeberg edged out the French favorite by 3.3 seconds to win the women's sprint in 19:24.9. For Oeberg, the victory was her first since winning the Oslo mass start in March 2023.

Despite the disappointment of missing out on gold, Jeanmonnot clinched second in front of the French crowd.

Italy's Dorothea Wierer captured third place after she finished 11.4 seconds behind the Swedish winner. Wierer beat out her teammate, Lisa Vittozzi, just by 3.5 seconds to secure the final spot on the podium.
 

All of the biathletes who finished in the top six shot clean from the range on a calm day. The real difference makers were those who also could shoot with speed in addition to accuracy.

Team USA's Deedra Irwin finished 10th overall.

The top-60 finishers from the women's 7.5km sprint competition advance to the women's 10km pursuit. The IBU World Cup continues in Annecy-Le Grand Bornand with the men's 10km sprint competition.