Cervenka Lands Top 10, Five in Top 35 in Sjusjoen Sprints

Battling the frigid temperatures in Sjusjoen, NOR, Team USA pulled together standout performances in today’s sprint races at the 2026 Open European Championships. Results were highlighted by Vaclav Cervenka (Grand Rapids, MN/National Guard Biathlon), who raced to ninth, tying his IBU Cup personal best. 

A perfect performance on the range, Cervenka crossed the line 56 seconds back from the victorious Damien Levet, setting himself up nicely for tomorrow’s pursuit race. Levet stood atop the podium with Isak Leknes Frey of Norway in second and French teammate Gaetan Paturel in third. 

Jake Brown (St. Paul, MN/Craftsbury Green Racing Project) missed just one target in prone to cross the line in 21st, +1:28.8 back from the leader. Bjorn Westervelt (Stowe, VT/Craftsbury Green Racing Project) landed 33rd overall with one miss in standing, followed closely by Vincent Bonacci (Salt Lake City, UT/Unaffiliated) in 35th, also with one miss on the day, to secure four U.S. men in tomorrow’s pursuit. Luke Brown (St. Paul, MN/Craftsbury Green Racing Project) and Van Ledger (Lake Placid, NY/Unaffiliated) landed 102nd and 114th, respectively. 

Later in the day, the U.S. women toed the line in their respective sprint. Chloe Levins (Rutland, VT/Mansfield Nordic Pro), with clean shooting, landed 23rd overall, making it five U.S. athletes in the top 35 today. Levins will be the sole U.S. woman on the start line in tomorrow’s pursuit.

Jackie Garso (Lake Clear, NY/Craftsbury Green Racing Project) landed 69th overall with two misses on the day. Grace Castonguay (Jackson, NH/Team Soldier Hollow) raced to 77th with three misses, followed closely by Kelsey Dickinson (Winthrop, WA/Craftsbury Green Racing Project) in 79th. Lina Farra (Heber City, UT/Unaffiliated) and Cheresa Bouley (Zimmerman, MN/Minnesota Biathlon) raced to 96th and 104th, respectively. 

The final two days of competition at the 2026 Open European Championships in Sjusjoen will feature the men’s and women’s pursuits tomorrow (Saturday) and the men’s and women’s relays to close out the event on Sunday. Tune in live on Eurovision Sport!