The Norwegians dominated the biathlon men’s pursuit race in showmanship. Jaakko Ranta reached his best ranking.
Joel Sippola,
Inka Henelius
The biathlon men’s World Cup race held in Hochfilzen was a sovereign display for the Norwegians, as the country’s athletes took a quadruple victory.
Norwegian Johannes Thingnes Bö has dominated the men’s biathlon competitions for a long time in showmanship. In the fifth individual race of the season held on Saturday, the Norwegian star “just” took her first first place of the season.
Before Saturday’s pursuit race, he had reached the podium only once. Bö has justified his weak pace at the beginning of the season with a fluoride ban.
In Saturday’s pursuit race, however, Bö’s pace was just right. He started in 11th place, about 50 seconds after the first one Tarjei Bön after, but eventually won by 22 seconds.
– Johannes is a dangerous individual because when he is allowed to the front and his self-confidence rises, he can lead a few other good races in the near future, Urheilu’s expert Ville Kotikumpu stated on the broadcast.
John Dale-Skjevdal was second before Tarjei Böt.
The message board motivates
Norway’s level was tough anyway, as there were no fewer than six Norwegians among the 11. On Friday, Bö was left out of the top four Norwegians.
– Johannes secured his post with this. Yesterday, it was considered whether he was included in the message. Maybe he had been told that if there is no result today, you are not in the message, Kotikumpu whined.
Jaakko Ranta was 36th as the best Finn. For Ranna, who shot zero, it is the best ranking of his career in the World Cup.
– Of course, this made me feel good. Six zero shots in a row, that’s it. Self-confidence is right there.
It was cramped on the track.
– The coronavirus test was negative in the morning, so at least it won’t hurt. We have to think about how to find more momentum for next week, Ranta commented.