From Reserve to the Podium: Juni Arnekleiv Wins Olympic Bronze

ANTERSELVA / DOVRE, February 18th, 2026 – Today, we at Trollfilm watched the Olympic biathlon relay with our hearts in our mouths – and our chests bursting with pride.

Juni Arnekleiv, one of the athletes we have had the honour of sponsoring on her road to the top, was not originally set to compete here in Anterselva, in the Italian Alps. She had travelled to these Winter Olympics as a reserve – ready, prepared, but waiting on the sidelines. That is a role that demands a very particular kind of mental strength: to stay sharp, stay motivated, and be ready to step in at a moment's notice, without knowing whether that moment will ever come.

It came. When Juni was called up to run the second leg for the Norwegian women's team in the relay, she didn't just hold her own – she delivered shooting and cross-country skiing of true world-class quality. She pushed Norway into the lead. And at the end of the day, the Norwegian team stood on the podium with Olympic bronze medals around their necks.

Norway's Olympic bronze medal relay team in women's biathlon at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Anterselva, Italy. From left: Maren Hjelmeset Kirkeeide, Karoline Knotten, Juni Arnekleiv and Marthe Kråkstad Johansen.

Now, we should perhaps mention something we have not made a great fuss about until now. Juni Arnekleiv is not only a Trollfilm-sponsored athlete. She is also the daughter of Trollfilm's own CEO and director, Anita Killi. Her surname may not give it away at first glance – but behind the scenes, this has always been a very personal story for all of us here. Watching Juni compete today was not just a matter of following a sponsored athlete on the television screen. For Anita, it was her daughter out there on the track, in the cold Italian mountains, carrying Norway on her skis.

Juni's medal is one of those stories that reminds us why sport, at its best, is so deeply human. It is not always the one who was first in line who writes the most memorable chapter. Sometimes it is the one who waited quietly, trusted in the process, and then seized the moment with both hands.

From left: Anita Killi, Martin Killi (92) and Berit Hoelsbrekken celebrating Juni Arnekleiv's Olympic bronze medal from Anterselva. Martin served as Chairman of the Trollfilm Board of Directors for 30 years. The fjøsnisse is also present – but only visible to those who believe he exists.

We at Trollfilm have believed in Juni for a long time – and today, the whole world got to see what we already knew.

The proof, should anyone need it, is right there on the bonnet of her car: the Trollfilm logo, riding along on the journey with her. We like to think we played a small part in getting her here.

Congratulations, Juni. You deserved every second of this. We wish you the very best for the rest of the season – and whatever comes next, we will be cheering.