The Swedish nightmare in the sprint – misses the podium after the barriers in the last shooting

Leksand extended the winning streak beat AIK

It was uncertain for a long time whether there would be a sprint for the men. A dense fog lay over the competition area. But just a few minutes before the planned start, the news came: the competition would be carried out.

The difficult conditions opened the way for shocks in the results list, although the Norwegian Johannes Thingnes Bö was still the favorite.

And the giant delivered – even though it required a solid post to hit the shot. Bö had no less than FOUR right on the edge, all of which went in anyway. Flawless shooting, then, and then there was nothing for the others to do against the Norwegian.

221129 Sebastian Samuelsson of Sweden after men’s biathlon 20 km individual during the IBU World Cup on November 29, 2022 in Kontiolahti. Photo: Kalle Parkkinen / BILDBYRÅN / COP 211 / KP0038

Sebastian Samuelsson shot flawlessly first, but failed to hold it together standing. There was a double bar – and the medal chance gone. However, Samuelsson finished with really strong riding, which shows that the Swede is still in good shape.

At the same time that Samuelsson shot away, Martin Ponsiluoma shot full on lying down – with cannon time behind him.

Ponsiluoma was the only Swedish hope before the standings. But in the fog and in a sudden wind, he couldn’t keep the shot together and there were THREE misses.

A difficult day for the Swedes, who instead have to look towards the start of the hunt.

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