UIPM 2026 Biathle-Triathle-Laser Run World Championships: Laser Run glory for Prampolini (ITA)

After four days packed with compelling Biatle-Triathle action, the attention turned to the urban dynamism of Laser Run and there was plenty of exactly that on show on the Portuguese island haven of Madeira. 

Day five of the UIPM 2026 Biathle-Triathle-Laser Run World Championships was filled with glorious victories and great stories with all of the community and connection that this global gathering serves up each year. 

The headline triumph of the day came from a somewhat expected source with an elite pentathlete from Italy taking gold in the Senior Women’s Final but there may have been a small surprise that it was Irene Prampolini (ITA) who finished clear of her compatriot Aurora Tognetti (ITA) to claim gold. 

Prampolini (ITA) has spent this season returning to the top end of Modern Pentathlon and followed the advice of her support staff to use this year’s Laser Run World Championships as a very valuable opportunity to work on the combined run-shoot discipline. It worked a charm as the 30-year-old topped the podium ahead of Edith Lopez of Mexico with Tognetti (ITA) taking bronze. 

The 12 Finals down for decision on Friday in Funchal, the capital of the island of Madeira, saw eight different nations top the podium. Unsurprisingly there were multiple champions from the powerhouse nations of Great Britain and South Africa, the British contingent ending the day with four golds in total. Under 11 champion Misha Meyer (RSA) was one of a number of athletes to add another medal to an impressive haul from the week. 

U19 gold went to Boglarka Csanak of Hungary while Suane Annequin of France produced a super display to triumph in the Junior Final. 

Spain and Germany were also among the medals in the Masters category. Another less-than-surprising flag to be raised highest was that of Latvia. The indomitable Andra Novicka (LVA) was crowned Masters 40+ champion for the fifth year in a year, a run which began in the capital of Lisbon and has stretched back to Portuguese territory. 

Senior Women’s champion Irene Prampolini (ITA) said: “I’m so impressed with the atmosphere and the people and how this competition has been organized. It’s so lovely to see lots of young athletes competing. 

“Madeira is such a lovely place to be. I’ve been working a lot on my running and wanted to push in the first lap and take first place and then hold it through the competition. My performance director had said this would be a good training for myself because last season i had been struggling a bit with my shooting. It’s such a friendly competition and there is a little less pressure but you can still train your Laser Run.”

Masters 40+ champion Andra Novicka (LVA) said: “I am very happy that I finished season with a gold medal. Here in Madeira everyone was asking me about new gold. And I did it! And this one was for the fifth time in a row. I am very happy with my today shooting which was not so great at Triathle were I took bronze.”