Thursday, Janurary 15, 2026 – Courchevel (FRA)
The first event of the 2026 season began under a clear blue sky, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains in Courchevel. The stunning alpine setting provided the perfect backdrop for an exciting start to the World Cup.
A total of 128 athletes took part in the event, including 52 women and 76 men, representing 24 nations.
The sprint course was fast, technical, and highly demanding. From the very beginning, the pace was intense, with athletes immediately challenged by two diamond sections before entering the flattest part of the circuit. The course then transitioned into a steep uphill foot section featuring high steps, followed by another demanding 100-meter section climbed on skis, leading into the final transition.
The downhill portion began with a series of zigzags, followed by a jump with a flat landing. Athletes then pushed through a bumpy final section at high speed before sprinting straight to the finish line.
Women’s Sprint
The women’s sprint delivered an exciting and emotional race, highlighted by strong performances and key comeback stories. Racing on home snow, Emily Harrop lived up to expectations, while Ana Alonso continued her return to competition following a serious crash earlier in the season. Although Alonso did not progress to the finals, her presence marked an important step forward in confirming her recovery and assessing her physical condition.
France’s Margot Ravinel, who had already shown solid form ISMF World Cup in Solitude, produced a very consistent race throughout the day and challenged strongly in the final. Italy’s Giulia Murada, arriving with confidence after winning the National Championships, once again demonstrated her competitiveness across all rounds.
In the final, Emily Harrop (FRA) controlled the race with authority, claiming victory in front of a home crowd in a time of 3:07.0. Her teammate Margot Ravinel (FRA) secured second place, finishing 7.7 seconds behind, completing a French one–two. Giulia Murada (ITA) rounded out the podium in third place, 13.1 seconds back.
Results – Women’s Sprint
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- Emily Harrop (FRA) – 3:07.0
- Margot Ravinel (FRA) – +7.7
- Giulia Murada (ITA) – +13.1
- Marianne Fatton (SUI) – +21.7
- Tatjana Paller (GER) – +22.0
- Johanna Hiemer (AUT) – +22.3
Men’s Sprint
The men’s sprint was one of the most anticipated races of the day, as several top athletes returned to World Cup competition after missing the opening round in Solitude. Thibault Anselmet and Oriol Cardona Coll were both absent from the first World Cup of the season,
increasing expectations to see them back in action. The race also marked the season debut of Nikita Filippov, who showed immediately that he remains in top form after finishing last season strongly and positioning himself as a major contender for the upcoming Olympic Games in Milano–Cortina.
The semifinals already hinted at a high-level final, with tight margins and aggressive racing setting the stage for a thrilling showdown. In the final, Nikita Filippov started extremely fast, pushing the pace from the opening meters and forcing the rest of the field to respond. Oriol Cardona stayed close through the first transition and then imposed his dominance on the steep foot section, where his efficiency and power allowed him to close the gap and take control of the race.
Cardona maintained his advantage through the final transitions and crossed the line first, securing victory in his first World Cup appearance of the season. Thibault Anselmet fought hard to stay in contention and finished second, while Nikita Filippov completed the podium after a strong and aggressive performance. The battle for fourth and fifth places remained intense until the final meters, highlighting the depth and competitiveness of the men’s field.
Results – Men’s Sprint
- Oriol Cardona Coll (ESP) – 2:41.6
- Thibault Anselmet (FRA) – +3.7
- Nikita Filippov (AIN) – +4.6
- Arno Lietha (SUI) – +12.2
- Jon Kistler (SUI) – +17.4
- Maximilien Drion du Chapois (BEL) – +40.4
A Perfect Day in Courchevel
The second World Cup of the season delivered a spectacular day of racing in Courchevel, with the Sprint event providing intense battles, high-level performances, and unforgettable moments in front of an enthusiastic crowd.
The focus now shifts to tomorrow’s Vertical Race, held in a time-trial format, where athletes will test their endurance and pacing. With fast conditions expected, the challenge will be whether the record set last season can once again be threatened.
Courchevel once again proved to be a world-class venue, and we head into the final race of the weekend with excitement and anticipation for what’s still to come.
