Sweden’s long medal drought in the Biathlon World Cup is over. There was Swedish silver in the swinging women’s relay in Nove Mesto, where France won by far in the end.
After the bronze in the opening mixed relay, there has been a long wait for the next blue-and-yellow medal in the WC.
On the penultimate day of the championship, it came thanks to Anna Magnusson, Linn Persson, Hanna Öberg and Elvira Öberg.
When Magnusson handed over to Persson, Sweden was fourth, 24.5 seconds behind the big favorite France. Many barriers in the wind on the shooting ramp meant that the results list was then thrown over both once and twice.
Frenchwoman Sophie Chauveau incurred two penalty rounds on the second stage and fell to eighth place. Instead, surprise team Estonia led at the halfway point, with Sweden remaining fourth.
Sweden was in the lead for a while on the third stretch, after a strong opening by Hanna Öberg. But when she missed her last standing shot – and then the first extra shot as well – it was France in the lead again.
The superb French team had Julia Simon on the final stretch, chased by Elvira Öberg. Simon trembled heavily on the last shot, was forced to three extra shots – but coped with the pressure and escaped the penalty round.
– What a drama. It was exciting, but France showed that they were the team to beat today. Above all, they are extremely strong out in the track, says Hanna Öberg to SVT.
Elvira Öberg took a lap, but was able to pay for it and still safely drive home the silver, 38.3 seconds behind France. The bronze went to Germany.
TT NEWS AGENCY
Share