Sweden had a chance for a medal in the mixed relay.
Then Sebastian Samuelsson collapsed.
– It’s a meltdown, says Björn Ferry.
– I can’t explain it, says shooting coach Jean-Marc Chabloz.
Sweden’s biathletes had a good Olympics last year, but somewhat surprisingly they missed out on a medal in the mixed relay. Sweden has historically been strong at the distance, and at the World Cup two years ago it was a brake, behind Norway and Austria. In recent years, Sweden has produced stars on both the men’s and women’s side – which means that Sweden is always classified as one of the favorites during the mixed relay. But during the WC premiere, things went really wrong.
Good from the start
This season, Elvira Öberg has completely dominated, but before the WC premiere on Wednesday, it was uncertain who would take the second leg for the ladies. Linn Persson is second in the overall World Cup became the Swedes – but the choice ultimately fell on the more experienced Hanna Öberg, who has shown so many times that she can deliver when it matters most.
Hanna Öberg started her round by having two misses in the initial prone shooting. However, Öberg put both of his extra shots, and then shot full in the second, standing shot. When she handed over to Elvira Öberg, Sweden was fifth, 26 seconds ahead of leading France. Elvira Öberg was careful in her first shoot and came away with a miss, but with only one extra shot needed.
In the second shoot, Öberg had two more misses, but she scored both extra shots – but lost a lot of time to France and Italy at the top.
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Huge flop at the end
Sweden was fourth when Elvira Öberg handed over to Martin Ponsiluoma, just over half a minute behind Italy. Martin Ponsiluoma had some problems with his lying shot, but on the third extra shot the Swede saved himself from a penalty round, and Sweden then remained fourth – after Norway caught up after a difficult start. Ponsiluoma had just one miss in his second shootout, and it was a real battle for the top spots as he handed over to Sebastian Samuelsson, who drove Sweden’s final stretch.
Norway was then in the lead, just one second ahead of France. Italy was third, eight seconds behind, and in fourth place was Sweden – 15 seconds behind Norway. In Samuelsson’s first shooting, he had a super opportunity to take the lead as the nations in front had problems. But then Samuelsson had six(!) misses, which forced him into three penalty rounds.
– It is terrible, says expert Björn Ferry.
Ferry how incomprehensible.
– It is windless and completely calm. I don’t know where they met.
Shooting coach Jean-Marc Chabloz was also completely incomprehensible when he showed off Samuelsson’s bars.
– It’s hard to explain. He misses so roughly! Something fishy has happened. This is not happening Sebbe. He can’t miss that roughly. I can’t explain it, he says.
Sebastian Samuelsson had big problems in the second shooting as well, and Sweden was never close to the top positions.
– It’s a meltdown, says Björn Ferry.
Norway won, ahead of Italy and France. Sweden was ninth.
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