The Polish maintenance man saved Otto Invenius – the Finn took the best finish of his career in the World Cup general | Sport

For Otto Invenius, the race week in Anterselva was the best in his career. However, the top result in the joint start race was not achieved.

Otto Invenius got the ranking he wanted for a long time in the top ten in the Anterselva joint start race, but there was little that the top result was not achieved.

In the final count, Invenius chased Endre Strömsheim. Just as he caught up with the Norse, he collapsed in front of Invenius in a bend. The Finn tried to dodge, but fell on his back and his staff broke.

– Thanks to the Polish maintenance man for immediately getting me a spare pole 50 meters away. That was important. I had a good boot on it and my thigh felt good for the final stretch, but I lost 10–15 seconds, Invenius told Urheilu.

– From there it fell (Justus) Strelow by at a high speed and I myself had a heart attack on my thigh. I am satisfied that I stayed in that tenth place until the finish line.

Invenius said that he went into the race with a rather empty mind. He didn’t expect anything from the skiing, but he knew the shooting would go well. However, going on the ski slope was better than he expected.

Expect even better

For Invenius, the race week in Anterselva was very successful, as he finished 11th in the normal race and now 10th. These are the best positions of his career in the World Cup.

– These are still not the places I want to be. Clearly the best week of my career, by far. I’m really satisfied, but I expect there will be even better ones, Invenius said and wondered where his tough attitude comes from.

– It’s definitely in me, that little will to win. When you have worked hard, you would like to make a result.

This season, Invenius has taken a strong hold on the title of Finland’s number one biathlon skier. The 23-year-old says he is ready to take up this mantle.

– There is no sign of it yet, but we’ll see.

Kulstad beamed at his protégé

Head coach of Finnish biathlon Erik Kulstad was excited about Invenius’ tenth place. According to the Norwegian coach, the day and the race went exactly as it should.

– The fact that Otto ends the race week like this is absolutely insane, Kulstad beamed and told why Invenius is currently in such a good position.

– He is currently the athlete who is the hungriest. He is ready to adapt and ready to try new things. Full throttle, that’s how he works. When you are a hungry athlete and ready to learn everything, development will come.

Invenius himself said earlier in an interview with Urheilu that a medal is possible in the World Championships starting in three weeks, if everything goes well. Kulstad does not knock out the goal of his protégé.

– If he continues like this, then anything can happen at the World Cup. Some get stronger, some lose a bit of their positions. I hope we have a good couple of weeks now. At least at the moment, Otto is full of confidence, Kulstad said.