– It was hard before going in and hope that the body feels better and better. It was a shame that I didn’t put the last reserve shot, then it could have been a fun sprint lap, says concluding Martin Ponsiluoma to SVT Sport.
Despite the two extra shots in the final shootout, Ponsiluoma was only 22 seconds behind the USA from the fence where the battle was for fourth place.
Fifth place came after a good pick-up by Sebastian Samuelsson and Ponsiluoma, this after one round and nine extra shots in total. However, it was above all in the track that Sweden lost time at the high altitude.
“Good to feel the hot air”
– It was good for Martin to drive the final stretch and feel the hot air, even if it wasn’t a fight for the podium, says expert Björn Ferry.
Viktor Brandt had a tough first leg and switched 20th, trailing only Switzerland, and was 1.41 behind leading France.
– It was really hard and I’m not a fan of high altitudes and it didn’t get any better from this, says Brandt.
Jesper Nelin drove Sweden up to 16th place but the distance to leading Italy had increased to 2.15 and the situation was quite tough for Sebastian Samuelsson who took over. Samuelsson climbed to seventh and was 2.18 behind leaders Norway after only needing to pick one extra shot.
“Got a good receipt”
– I make a good distance, but it is difficult to get a good reference when you go out so far behind. I got a good receipt and hopefully it will feel better and better, says Samuelsson.
When Martin Ponsiluoma went out on the fourth and final stage, he was 1.41 off the podium. Norway had reversed the cut after Sturla Holm Lägreid’s shooting failure on the first stretch and led the competition by far. Vetle Sjåstad Christiansen managed the situation and took home his second straight relay victory – after the single mixed sprint in Holmenkollen on Sunday.