– I thought that I would have a decent eye on Johannes because Sebbe played with him yesterday and I usually beat Sebbe. I’m behind and push on the last hill and immediately notice that he’s not hanging on and then it was just a matter of holding on. It was really nice to beat Norway, says Ponsiluoma to SVT Sport.
Thus, Sweden got revenge for the disgraceful sprint miss in the single mixed relay an hour earlier.
It was well bombed behind France in the last shot. There were four teams fighting for two podium places after the last shooting. Italy and Germany dropped out and it would be a battle for second place between the fast Ponsiluoma and the legendary Thingnes Bö.
– It was very windy at the beginning of the series and I stood for a long time with numb legs. It was nice to work them down, says Ponsiluoma, who had to use all three of his spare shots in the last shooting.
“I feel like a drowned cat”
Inside the stadium but before the riot, the Swede jerked and was in full control for the last bit. Mona Brorsson, Elvira Öberg and Jesper Nelin rode ahead of Ponsiluoma in the rain in Holmenkollen.
– I feel like a drowned cat but I have sunshine on my mind. It’s not every day you get to beat Norway in a mixed relay and it’s fun. It felt safe to have Martin on the sprint lap, says Elvira Öberg.
France led from start to finish. Quentin Fillon Maillet secured a commanding victory after the difficult final shootout after Julia Simon, Sophie Chauveau and Fabien Claude rode ahead of him.