The second stage of the IBU World Cup kicked off in Hochfilzen, Austria with the men's 10km sprint and the women's 7.5km sprint, under sunny skies.

Italy's Tommaso Giacomel finished the sprint course in 23:04.5 to win gold. The sprint triumph was his second career victory and first-ever gold in the event. The 25-year-old excelled from the range, shooting quickly and accurately to take the top spot. The win for Giacomel undoubtedly provides a confidence boost as he prepares for the upcoming Milan Cortina Olympic Games on his home turf.

Eric Perrot of France trailed Giacomel just by four seconds to take second on the podium, his first of the year so far.

Germany's Philipp Horn raced to the final spot on the podium. He finished just two seconds behind Perrot to claim bronze and edged out Johan-Olav Botn of Norway by 3.1 seconds. Botn sits as the overall sprint leader and overall World Cup leader this season.

Team USA's Campbell Wright placed seventh overall. He shot clean to finish 28.6 seconds behind the Italian winner and will compete in the pursuit event along with American teammates Sean Doherty, Paul Schommer and Maxime Germain. 

In the women's 7.5km sprint event, Lou Jeanmonnot of France claimed her first win of the season with a time of 19:59.4 and shot perfectly from the range.

Norway's Maren Kirkeeide finished 15.3 seconds behind to finish second. Anna Magnusson of Sweden clinched the third spot on the podium after she finished less than a second after Kirkeeide. 

Magnusson now sits as the overall World Cup leader for the first time in her career after 223 World Cup starts. She also tops the sprint leaderboard as well.

For the U.S., Deedra Irwin and Chloe Levins finished 17th and 57th, respectively. Both Americans have clinched a spot in the women's 10km pursuit.

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