From the FasterSkier archive — posts syndicated from athletes’ and coaches’ own blogs between 2004 and 2012, kept online as published. Current coverage is at fasterskier.com.
The start of the 12.5 k Women’s Mass Start at the Biathlon World Championships in Oberhof, Germany. (Photo: NordicFocus)
On the final day of the 2023 Biathlon World Championships in Oberhof, Germany, the top thirty women in the world took to the course for the 12.5 k Mass Start. For some, it was the seventh race in twelve days. Under steady rain, the top fifteen athletes from the World Cup Overall standings plus the medalists and other athletes with the most cumulative points from the World Championships Sprint, Pursuit, and Individual races battled through four shooting stages and five laps up the Birxsteig climb. Of the thirty women on the start list, 11 had won a race, 19 had been on a podium, and a couple others had a personal best of fourth, including Emma Lunder of Canada.
Thirty competitors head out on the first of five 2.5 k laps in the Women’s Mass Start at Biathlon World Championships in Oberhof, Germany. (Photo: NordicFocus)
The race was wide open, but eventually three familiar faces filtered to the top. After Sebastian Samuelsson and Martin Ponsiluoma unexpectedly swept gold and silver for Sweden in the morning’s Men’s Mass Start, Hanna Oeberg made it a Swedish double, winning the Women’s Mass Start by just a few seconds over Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold of Norway and Julia Simon of France. While there was little doubt that the name “Oeberg” would be at the top of the results sheet at these Championships, most people would have bet on Hanna’s younger sister, Elvira, who is ranked second in the World Cup Overall behind Simon. Unfortunately, Elvira got sick at the beginning of the Championships and only raced the Sprint and Women’s Relay. Hanna, ranked tenth in the Overall, stepped up in a big way to win both the 15km Individual and the Mass Start, becoming the only woman at these Championships to win two individual titles.
Wearing bib 11 in the Mass Start, Anais Chevalier-Bouchet (FRA) shot clean through the first three stages and led most of the race. (Photo: NordicFocus)
The Mass Start was tight from start to finish. At the first shooting stage, 20 out of 30 competitors shot clean and left the range within 15 seconds of one another. Oeberg and Simon both missed one and left the range together in 21st and 22nd. As Anais Chevalier of France set the pace at the front, Oeberg and Simon skied the fastest second loop to reconnect with the lead pack before the second shooting. At Shooting 2 Chevalier stayed clear but Oeberg and Simon both missed again, this time joined by Tandrevold and Lunder. None of the them were able to reach the lead pack before the third shooting, but they were all well within striking distance. Approaching Shooting 3, the top 21 women were all within 30 seconds.
Julia Simon (FRA) standing on Lane 1 for Shooting 4 during the Women’s Mass Start at the IBU World Championships in Oberhof, Germany. (Photo: NordicFocus)
As is often the case, Shooting 3—the first of two standing stages in the Mass Start—proved decisive. Chevalier, Simon, Oeberg, and Tandrevold all cleaned and took places one through four at the front of the race. Lunder missed once more and found herself in 17th with a 50-second deficit. Simon and Chevalier pulled into the final shooting together, with Tandrevold and Oeberg following 16 seconds later. The two French women incurred one miss each, leaving the door open for the Scandinavian chasers. Both Oeberg and Tandrevold capitalized on the moment, hitting five for five! Oeberg led out of the range with Tandrevold four seconds behind. Simon and Chevalier exited the penalty loop together another four seconds behind Tandrevold. The chase was on. Lunder cleaned her last stage as well, jumping from 17th to seventh.
Hanna Oeberg (SWE) celebrates her victory as she crosses the finish line in the Women’s Mass Start at the IBU World Championships in Oberhof. (Photo: NordicFocus)
Over a grueling last 2.5 k loop, Simon caught Tandrevold, but then Tandrevold put in a hard push on the last climb and dropped Simon, coming within seconds of Oeberg. But Oeberg didn’t give an inch to Tandrevold, matching her course time over the last loop down to the tenth of a second. With a strong finish, Oeberg claimed her fourth medal and second individual gold of these Championships. Tandrevold collapsed in tears of joy at the finish. Having struggled mightily from the standing position during these Championships, hitting a miserable 60%, she made a total turnaround in the Mass Start, hitting 10/10 in standing to capture the silver medal. Simon comfortably held off Chevalier to claim the bronze.
Emma Lunder (CAN) leads a pack of eight people into the finish lanes in a fight for sixth place. Marketa Davidova (CZE), blurred in the foreground, catches her breath after claiming fifth thanks to a fast last loop. (Photo: NordicFocus)
Behind Chevalier, the race for the last two places in the top-six Flower Ceremony was even more intense. Only twelve seconds separated places five through thirteen. Samuela Comola (ITA) left the range in fifth, having added another 20 hits to her now 50-shot streak. She was hunted down by Marketa Davidova (CZE), Dorothea Wierer (ITA), Emma Lunder (CAN), and Karoline Knotten (NOR), who all had one or two misses and were skiing faster than Comola. Davidova made an early move and passed Comola to secure fifth. With less than 1 k to go, Lunder and Knotten dropped Wierer, and with Lunder pushing the pace, the two caught and passed Comola just before the finishing lanes. In a photo finish, Knotten out-lunged Lunder to take sixth by one tenth of a second. Just behind them, six athletes more crossed within three seconds.
Wearing bib 28, Karoline Knotten (NOR) out-lunges Emma Lunder of Canada to take sixth in the Mass Start at the IBU World Championships in Oberhof, Germany. (Photo: NordicFocus)
With the conclusion of the Mass Starts, the 2023 Biathlon World Championships have come to a close. Biathletes now have one week to rest before they head to Nove Mesto na Morave, Czech Republic for the first of three World Cup stages in the final trimester of competition.
Biathlon World Championships Women’s Mass Start RESULTS
Denise Herrmann-Wick (GER) shooting from the standing position at the IBU World Championships Sprint in Oberhof, Germany. (Photo: NordicFocus)
Biathlon fans anticipated that the women’s 7.5km Sprint would be one of the most tightly-contested races of the BMW IBU World Championships, and it did not disappoint. In the end, only 2.2 seconds separated the new World Champion, Denise Herrmann-Wick of Germany, from the silver medalist, Hanna Oeberg of Sweden. Oeberg’s teammate, Linn Persson, finished third. These athletes will start at the front of Sunday’s 60-person Pursuit and try to stave off the chasers for another chance at a World Championship medal.
Hanna Oeberg (SWE) leaving the range in the lead of the IBU World Championships Sprint in Oberhof, Germany. (Photo: NordicFocus)
Fourteen women from seven nations have landed on the podium this winter. But among all those contenders, arguably no one had more pressure on them today than hometown favorite, Denise Herrmann-Wick. Ranked first in the World Cup Sprint standings, the 34-year-old revealed in Wednesday’s Mixed Relay that she has peaked perfectly for these races. Even with nine out ten hits, Herrmann-Wick is skiing fast enough that she could have a chance at a podium finish, but today she left nothing chance. Unfazed by tens of thousands of spectators cheering in unison after each shot, Herrmann-Wick steadily cleared ten out of ten targets. One word came to mind: impressive.
But the race wasn’t over. A few minutes later, Hanna Oeberg of Sweden managed the same perfect shooting, leaving the range for the final 2.5km loop with a nine second advantage over Herrmann-Wick. A hush of collective anxiety came over the full stadium of German fans. By the top of Oberhof’s signature Birxsteig climb, Oeberg’s advantage had dwindled to a near tie. It wasn’t until the final meters of the race, when Oeberg’s time ticked above Herrmann-Wick’s winning mark of 21:19.7, that the Thuringen Arena burst into cheers.
Denise Herrmann-Wick (GER) celebrates after winning the IBU World Championships Sprint in Oberhof, Germany. (Photo: NordicFocus)
The battle for gold was not limited to those two athletes. Wearing bib number two, Anamarija Lampic of Slovenia cleaned her prone targets, leaving the audience wondering if today might be the day for the former cross-country skier to break onto her first podium. But that kind of biathlon magic wasn’t to be; Lampic’s inexperience came through when she missed four targets in standing. With the 17th-ranked course time, she narrowly managed to qualify for Sunday’s Pursuit in 58th. It was Lampic’s teammate, Polona Klemencic, who stepped up and shined for Slovenia with the perfect shooting score to take her first career top-10 in 8th place.
Ingrid Tandrevold of Norway led the race after Shooting 1, showing once again that her ski speed and prone shooting skills are there. But the standing shooting slump which has been bothering her since January persisted and she missed two on her way to a 14th place finish. Lisa Vittozzi of Italy missed just one in standing but skied fast enough to briefly take the lead from Marketa Davidova of Czech Republic, who had hit 100% as she so often does in championship races.
The defending Olympic Champion in the Sprint, Marte Olsbu Roeiseland, was sitting way back in 26th after missing one in prone, but with a clean standing bout and the second-ranked course time, she pulled her way back to fourth, just five seconds shy of the bronze medal. She’ll be motivated for more in the Pursuit. The World Cup Overall leader, Julia Simon, was well on her way to a podium finish with eight hits before she missed the last two. Simon thrives in head-to-head races and will be a threat in the Pursuit even starting 1:02 back in 10th place.
Emma Lunder (CAN) following Marte Olsbu Roiseland (NOR) in the IBU World Championships Sprint in Oberhof, Germany, where they finished 11th and 4th, respectively. (Photo: NordicFocus).
Less than one second behind Simon, Emma Lunder of Canada posted her best-ever Championship result in 11th. After a season-best ski performance on Wednesday in the Mixed Relay, Lunder knew anything was possible in today’s Sprint. “I was a bag of nerves,” she said. “I was more nervous for this than the Olympics, because I knew I had a chance.” Once she started, her good preparation kicked in and with a clear mind she executed to near perfection, with just one prone miss and a top-15 course time. Lunder attributes her excellent shape to staying healthy. She hasn’t been sick since last year’s Olympics, so she has been able to train continuously and make steady gains. She also credited her ski technicians for fast skis. In Sunday’s Pursuit, only 1:03 will separate Emma from Herrmann-Wick. To the podium, it’s just 37 seconds.
Nadia Moser (CAN) on her way to 48th in the IBU World Championships Sprint in Oberhof, Germany. Photo: (NordicFocus)
Two other North Americans qualified for the Pursuit. Nadia Moser (CAN) finished 48th with one penalty, and Deedra Irwin (USA) finished 55th with two. “I’ve barely trained for the last two weeks,” said Irwin after the race, referencing a sickness she came down with in January which required a round of antibiotics. “And this course is so hard. The headwind on that straightaway was brutal.” Some athletes were luckier than others, finding themselves in position to draft for the 500m windy straightaway approach to the range. Lunder put in a hard sprint to catch someone there. Chloe Levins, the second American today in 73rd, was alone every time on that section, but she performed well on the range, hitting nine of ten.
Joanne Reid (USA) shot clean in prone but suffered three penalties in standing to finish 75th. Competing in her first biathlon World Championships race, former Nordic Combined athlete Tara Geraghty-Moats (USA) similarly cleaned prone but struggled in standing, missing four to finish 86th. Canada’s Benita Peiffer rounded out their squad, missing five to finish 93rd.
Chloe Levins (USA) hit nine out of ten to finish 73rd in the IBU World Championships Sprint in Oberhof, Germany. (Photo: NordicFocus)
The women will be back in action on Sunday, but first it’s the men’s sprint, Saturday at 8:30AM Eastern Time.
IBU World Championships women’s Sprint podium: Denise Herrmann-Wick (GER) in first, Hanna Oeberg SWE) in second at left, and Linn Persson (SWE) in third. Oberhof, Germany. (Photo: NordicFocus)
Biathletes racing in Oberhof, Germany in January of 2019. (Photo: NordicFocus)
The 2023 BMW IBU Biathlon World Championships kick off on Wednesday, February 8th in Oberhof, Germany. Let’s start with reasons why to watch:
Why Watch?
Watch because it’s free and easy. This winter, all biathlon World Championship, World Cup, Junior World Championship, and even IBU Cup (World Cup feeder circuit) races and are free to stream live with English commentary on Eurovision’s website.
Watch because on the men’s side, Johannes Thignes Boe’s domination so far this winter has sparked talk of “G.O.A.T.” status. That is saying something, given that the 29-year-old Norwegian has “only” three World Cup Overall titles and 66 individual victories to his name. Boe’s compatriot, the original “King of Biathlon” Ole Einar Bjorndalen, won 95 races, and more recently, French star Martin Fourcade won 85 races and seven consecutive Overall titles. But winning 11 out of 14 individual competitions already this season, Boe is catching up at an extraordinary rate. Outpacing his competitors by ridiculous margins and hitting 90% of his targets on average, there’s no doubt Boe will put on a show to remember in Oberhof.
On the women’s side, watch because—in contrast to the Boe Show—we’ve seen eight different winners from five countries so far this season: none yet from Norway. It’s truly anyone’s game. The depth of competition on the women’s side all but guarantees the kind of high-drama shooting and down-to-the-wire finishes that we all love.
Watch to support Nordic skiers getting paid. World Championships have the biggest viewership draw and consequently the biggest prize money purse of the biathlon season, with each event winner taking home 25,000 Euros. The payout reaches all the way down to 30th place, and women and men are paid equally.
Watch because—for the first time since 2020—spectators will be allowed to attend the season’s highlight event. Oberhof’s Thuringen Arena is expected to draw over 160,000 die-hard biathlon fans from one of the sport’s core regions. Watch because if you can’t be there in person, the live stream is next best!
Biathlon World Cup Women’s Pursuit in Oberhof , Germany in January 2021. (Photo: NordicFocus)
February 8-19. See competition schedule below in Eastern Time. Full season schedule and results available at: www.biathlonresults.com
What to Watch?
For those new to biathlon, check out any of the relays, the Pursuit, or the Mass Start. Those races are easiest to follow because they are head-to-head.
To see North Americans in the front of the pack, watch the Single-Mixed Relay. One woman and one man each do two short biathlon races, tagging off in between. The Canadian couple of Emma Lunder and Christian Gow have a World Cup best of fourth in the event and Americans Deedra Irwin and Paul Schommer finished sixth just a few weeks ago. No matter how they do, this speed shooting and sprint skiing frenzy is entirely enjoyable to watch.
Watch for those same four athletes in the 15/20km Individual as well. They each have scored at least one top-10 result in biathlon’s longest event format, known for its brutal one-minute time penalty per miss. If any of them can hit 18 targets or more out of 20, expect to see them on the live stream and—if they’re lucky—on the podium.
Emma Lunder and Christian Gow (CAN) at the IBU World Cup Biathlon in Kontiolahti, Finland in December 2022. (Photo: NordicFocus)
Who to Watch?
International Women:
Julia Simon (FRA): currently leads the World Cup Overall and Mass Start standings. Watch for her to blaze through five targets in 19 seconds and then throw down a heroic last lap for a come-from-behind win. Not to be overlooked: her three teammates who have also landed on the podium this winter.
Elvira Oeberg (SWE): Second in the Overall and first in the U25 and Pursuit standings, it’s easy to forget she’s only 23 years old. Like France, Sweden has also put four women on the podium this winter. Watch for those two nations to battle it out in the Women’s Relay.
Lisa Vittozzi (ITA): Following a season in which she inexplicably alternated between hitting all five or missing all five in any given prone stage, Vittozzi is back to her best form on the range and on skis. She currently leads the 15km Individual standings.
Dorothea Wierer (ITA): Quietly ranked fourth in the Overall behind the above three, she took her first win of the season just a few weeks ago and is a perennial favorite at championships.
Denise Herrmann-Wick (GER): Sprint standings leader and Olympic medalist in both biathlon and cross-country skiing, the 34-year-old is currently ranked fifth in the Overall and is Germany’s best chance for an at-home win.
Marte Olsbu Roiselend (NOR): Last year’s World Cup Overall winner returned to competition in January following an autumn illness and went straight into the flower ceremony with a 4th and 5th. She won five Olympic medals in Beijing last winter and seven at World’s in 2020. Bet on her.
Wildcard—Anamarija Lampic (SLO): For cross-country ski fans looking for a dark horse podium contender, the former FIS Sprint Globe winner will make her Biathlon World Championships debut. In her three World Cup outings so far she has placed 5th, 5th and 69th.
Julia Simon (FRA) racing the IBU World Cup Biathlon Relay in Antholz, Italy in January 2023. (Photo: NordicFocus)
North American Women:
Emma Lunder (CAN): Ranked 26th in the Overall standings, Lunder came oh-so-close to landing her first podium when she set new personal bests of 4th and 5th in December. In the two Mass Start races this season she placed 9th and 11th, so let’s hope she can qualify for the premier 30-woman event in Oberhof.
Nadia Moser (CAN): After tragically breaking her leg just before the Olympics last year, Moser fought back and is now having a career-best season, notching three top-30’s including a new personal best of 23rd.
Deedra Irwin (USA): Returning from a breakout season in which she smashed into the top-ten for the first time at the Olympics and qualified for her first Mass start, Irwin may be on track for a similarly well-timed peak. In January her ski times sharpened and she scored her first top-25 of the winter.
Joanne Reid (USA): After finishing 26th in a Sprint in December, Reid struggled with illness in January but don’t count her out. Her top three career results are all from championship events, including 10th and 15th at the 2019 World’s. Chances are good she’ll shine in the women’s and mixed relays.
Johannes Thingnes Boe (NOR) racing the IBU World Cup Biathlon Mass Start in Ruhpolding, Germany in January 2023. (Photo: NordicFocus)
International Men:
Team Norway: Five of them (J. Boe, S. Laegreid, V. Christiansen, J. Dale, T. Boe) are ranked in the top eight of the World Cup Overall standings. We’ll see all of them compete in Oberhof thanks to a new rule which extends the normal limit of four athletes per nation to five as long as they are ranked in the top 15. In particular:
Johannes Thignes Boe (NOR): won 11 of 14 individual races this season. Currently leads the Overall standings and all of the event standings. More than once this winter, he has outskied the next-fastest competitor by over forty seconds— in a 10k! Come for the biathlon, stay for the exceptional cross-country skiing.
Sturla Holm Laegreid (NOR): If it weren’t for Boe’s total domination we’d be talking about Laegreid. He’s finished 2nd in the Overall standings for the last two years and has been on the podium in all but three races this season. His worst (!) finish so far this winter is 6th. In contrast to Boe, Laegreid’s superpower is his shooting. The 25-year-old is currently running a 98% hit rate in prone.
Martin Ponsiluoma (SWE): the only non-Norwegian to win a race this winter. In January he was consistently the second-fastest skier behind J. Boe and therefore one of the few people with any chance of beating him. Ponsiluoma’s weakness is shooting accuracy but Oberhof’s windy range could level the playing field to his advantage.
Quentin Fillon Maillet (FRA): Last winter’s World Cup Overall winner, currently ranked 4th, never gives up.
Niklas Hartweg (SUI): At just 22 years old, the U25 leader is having a breakout season which started with a silver medal in the 20km Individual in November. Winner of the 2019-20 Junior Cup, Hartweg is on a near vertical trajectory at the senior level, ascending from 74th in the World Cup Overall standings last year to 12th currently.
Wildcard— Simon Eder (AUT): the 39-year-old proved he’s still in great form when he earned his 99th and 100th career individual top-ten results in January. He recently ended a prone hit streak of over 110 shots which he had started last March.
Paul Schommer (USA) and Adam Runnalls (CAN), (l-r) racing the IBU World Cup Biathlon Pursuit in Annecy-Le Grand Bornand in December 2022. (Photo: NordicFocus)
North American Men:
Sean Doherty (USA): Coming off a banner summer season in which he took 2nd at the Martin Fourcade Nordic Festival and 6th at Summer Biathlon World Championships, Doherty landed his best result since the 18-19 season in December with a new Sprint best of 11th.
Christian Gow (CAN): a lighting fast and reliable shooter coming into form with two top-25 results in January.
Adam Runnalls (CAN): 24-year-old having a breakout season with two top-20s so far including a new personal-best of 13th in the Sprint in January.
Paul Schommer (USA): has finished in the points (top-40) in all but two races this season, showing high-level consistency, especially on the range where his 87% hit rate ranks among the best.
Jake Brown (USA): 12th in the Sprint at 2021 World’s proves he can make it happen when it counts. Watch for Jake to put up a sneaky excellent Men’s Relay leg.
Keep following fasterskier.com for on-site coverage from Oberhof.
You can find the full US Biathlon World Championships team roster here.
You can find the full Biathlon Canada World Championships team roster here.
Let’s catch up with the IBU World Cup and the action from Saturday and Sunday in Pokljuka, Slovenia.
Emma Lunder and Christian Gow, (l-r) during the IBU World Cup biathlon, single mixed relay, in Pokljuka (SLO). The team placed fourth overall. (Photo: NordicFocus)
First up, the single mixed relay, in which teams of two are paired with each skier racing two legs and shooting two stages per leg. France took the win in 38:33.4 minutes shooting 0+5. The big news from the relay for North America, was Canada’s fourth place result. Christian Gow and Emma Lunder were 16 seconds back from first place France after shooting 0+6.
Jake Brown and Joanne Reid for the U.S. placed 23rd (+4:15.1; 0+14).
And it is worth mentioning, 26 different nations comprised the 26 team field. Which brings to mind a cool post on Twitter from the International Biathlon Union, and it speaks to the exciting nature of the sport. The Estonian team included Rene Zahkna, who placed 101st in last Thursday’s 20 k individual race. Two days later it was podium time.
Next up, the 4 x 7.5 k mixed relay, which France won in 1:17:53.3 making it a clean sweep for the nation on relay day.
The U.S. team of Leif Nordgren, Sean Doherty, Susan Dunklee, and Clare Egan placed 12th (+4:10.6; 2+12). Canada’s Jules Burnotte, Scott Gow, Emily Dickson, and Megan Bankes raced to 18th (+6:47.5; 4+10).
The relay had 25 teams from 25 different nations represented.
France’s Quentin Fillon Maillet won Sunday’s 15 k mass start in Pokljuka, Slovenia. (Photo: NordicFocus)
And… on Sunday in Pokljuka, the racing began with the men’s 15 k mass start. No Johannes Thingnes Bø or Martin Fourcade on the podium’s top step: France’s Quentin Fillon Maillet placed first in 36:21.5 shooting 0+0+1+0. Germany’s Benedikt Doll placed second (+10.0 0+1+0+0), and yes, Johannes Thingnes Bø was on the podium in third (+10.3; 1+0+0+1).
Fourcade retains the IBU World Cup’s leader’s bib with 601 points. Fillon Maillet is second with 532 points, and Bø is third with 482. Bø sat out much of January’s racing for the birth of his first child.
No North American men qualified for the mass start race.
Egan raced to 26th (+3:31.8; 0+1+1+1) and Lunder to 29th (+4:12.5; 2+1+1+0).
Norway’s Tiril Eckhoff still leads the World Cup overall with 524 points, Dorothea Wierer of Italy is in second with 509 points, and Öberg sits in third with 456 points.
Racing on the IBU World Cup takes a hiatus for a bit. The 2020 IBU World Championships begin in Antholz, Italy on February 12th.
So we will leave on a light note as we piggyback on Egan’s Instagram account. She noted that U.S. Biathlon’s women’s coach Armin Auchentaller made a bet that he would “jump in the lake if anyone gets a top-10!”.
He took the plunge after Egan’s 6th place. Auchentaller may be onto something, The New Yorker recently called cold plunges a subversive joy.
The cold plunge. (photo: from @clareeganbiathlete on Instagram)
The traveling IBU World Cup roadshow stops in Pokljuka, Slovenia this week and began the individual races. The women’s 15 k individual ran on Friday. The individual race format places a heightened premium on clean shooting; each missed shot amounts to an automatic minute penalty.
Tiril Eckhoff of Norway had been dominating the circuit recently. Yet, Friday, she fell in the standings to place an uncharacteristic 18th. In first place was former German cross-country skier Denise Herrmann. It was Herrmann’s first win of the season and her second podium. She won in 41:33.4 with no misses on the range. Sweden’s Hannah Öberg was second (+59.2; 0+1+0+0) and France’s Anais Bescond third (+1:15.7; 0+0+0+0).
Denise Herrmann of Germany celebrating the 15 k individual win in Pokljuka, Slovenia. (Photo: NordicFocus)
Two North Americans raced into the top-10. Clare Egan for the U.S. had a career-best race in the individual format with a sixth place. Egan shot clean and stopped the clock 2:10.4 back. Prior to Friday’s result, Egan’s best performance in the 15 k individual had been a 22nd at the 2017 World Championships in Hochfilzen, Austria. Last weekend, Egan placed 16th in Ruhpolding, Germany’s 10 k pursuit. And at this same venue a bit over a year ago in Pokljuka, Egan placed sixth in the 10 k pursuit.
Clare Egan of the U.S. during the women’s 15 k individual in Pokljuka, Slovenia. Egan placed 6th. (Photo: NordicFocus)
Post-race interview with Clare Egan
Emma Lunder of Canada finished in 10th, 3:06.8 back while shooting 1+0+0+0. This was Lunder’s second top-10 of the season. She placed 7th in Oberhof’s sprint. Both Lunder and Egan qualified for Sunday’s 12.5 k mass start competition. The top-25 women in the overall IBU standings auto-qualify. Egan and Lunder fell outside that criteria, but qualified due to their results in Friday’s individual race.
Canada’s Emma Lunder racing to 10th in the women’s 15 k individual in Pokljuka, Slovenia. (Photo: NordicFocus)
For the U.S., Joanne Reid was 45th (+6:11.3; 0+0+1+1), Susan Dunklee 55th (+7:04.2; 1+2+1+1), and Emily Dreissigacker 84th (+10:12.7; 1+0+1+2).
Canada’s Nadia Moser finished in 79th (+9:30.6; 1+2+0+1), Megan Bankes 80th (+9:46.2; 1+1+0+3), and Emily Dickson 83rd (+10:07.4; 1+1+1+1).
On Thursday in Pokljuka, Johannes Thingnes Bø, on leave from the race scene for the first part of racing during the second trimester to be home for the birth of his first child, was back in play. Last week, in the absence of the Norwegian phenom that is Bø, France’s Martin Fourcade reclaimed the World Cup’s overall yellow leader’s bib.
Johannes Thingnes Bø on his way to winning the men’s 20 k individual in Pokljuka, Slovenia. (Photo: NordicFocus)
Fourcade’s leader status might be tenuous. The two superstars went 1-2 on Thursday with Bø taking the win in 47:54.3 with no misses. Fourcade finished second, 11.4 seconds back while also shooting clean. France’s Fabien Claude placed third (+25.6; 0+0+0+0).
Martin Fourcade of France remains in the overall leader’s bib after his second place in Pokljuka’s 20 k individual. (Photo: NordicFocus)
For Canada, Scott Gow raced to 26th (+3:36.7; 0+1+0+1). Christian Gow was 41st (+5:20.0; 0+2+0+0), Jules Burnotte 88th (+8:39.1; 1+2+1+1), and Aidan Millar 107th (+13:27.7; 2+2+0+3).
Scott Gow (CAN) railing a corner during the 20 k individual in Pokljuka, Slovenia. (Photo: NordicFocus)
Leif Nordgren was the top American in 27th. Nordgren finished 3:38.3 minutes back after shooting 1+1+0+0. Jake Brown placed 52nd (+5:54.9; 2+1+0+0), Sean Doherty 74th (+7:28.8; 1+0+1+3), and Paul Schommer 85th (+8:32.9; 2+0+0+2).
The winner of the women’s 10 k pursuit, Norway’s Tiril Eckhoff, amidst a sea of Ruhpolding, Germany fandom. (Photo: NordicFocus)
Let’s catch up on some overdue biathlon action from Ruhpolding, Germany.
Day 2: Men’s 10 k sprint
Starting off, the men’s 10 k sprint that ran last Thursday. Allez! Allez! It was a squeaker of a win for IBU World Cup overall leader Martin Fourcade of France. He won in a time of 22:41.5 minutes while shooting clean. His teammate, Quentin Fillon Maillet clocked in 3.1 seconds back for second while missing no targets. Germany’s Benedikt Doll placed third (+12.0; 0+0).
Calm, and cool: France’s Martin Fourcade in Ruhpolding. (Photo: NordicFocus)
Martin Fourcade has returned to his winning ways: here is on the way to winning the pursuit in Ruhpolding, Germany. (Photo: NordicFocus)
Sean Doherty of the U.S. continued his rise in this second trimester of the World Cup notching 21st in the sprint, 1:02.8 back and shooting 1+0. For Doherty, this matched his season best result, a 21st in Oberhof’s sprint.
U.S. biathlete Sean Doherty during the men’s relay in Ruhpolding, Germany. (Photo: NordicFocus)
Also for the U.S., Jake Brown skied to 58th (+2:02.2; 2+0), and Leif Nordgren was a spot back in 59th (+2:03.8;2+1). Paul Schommer was 65th (+2:09.2; 0+2).
Jules Burnotte was the top-placed Canadian in 47th (+1:43.6; 0+2). Christian Gow was 51st (1:48.7; 1+0), Scott Gow 60th (+2:04.9), and Aidan Millar 100th (+3:16.4; 1+2).
The top-60 skiers advanced to the weekend’s pursuit.
Here’s one thing we love about IBU World Cup relays: so many nations participating. Twenty-three different countries were represented in the women’s event. Korea was lapped, and was listed as 23rd, but at least they are in the game.
In first place, a more consistent powerhouse, was Norway in 1:08:46.4, followed by France (+10.7), and Switzerland (+20.7) in second and third, respectively. This was Norway’s fourth relay win in a row.
For the U.S., Susan Dunklee, Clare Egan, Joanne Reid, and Deedra Irwin raced to 10th overall, 2:32.9 behind Norway’s winning time. The U.S. had a single penalty while using nine spares in the competition.
Susan Dunklee (bib 9) of the U.S. during the women’s relay in Ruhpolding, Germany. (Photo: NordicFocus).
Joanne Reid coming in to tag Deedra Irwin for the U.S. (Photo: NordicFocus)
Joanne Reid during the women’s relay in Ruhpolding. (Photo: NordicFocus)
Canada’s Nadia Moser, Emma Lunder, Megan Bankes, and Sarah Beaudry were 20th (+5:30.8; 1+11).
Canada’s Meghan Bankes during the women’s relay in Ruhpolding, Germany. (Photo: NordicFocus)
When it’s going your way, just go with it. It has been going France’s way. The French won the men’s relay in 1:18.11.2 followed by Norway in second (1:12.2), and Austria in third (+1:24.3).
Quentin Fillon Maillet of France carries the French flag across the line for the relay win in Ruhpolding, Germany. (Photo: NordicFocus)
Leif Nordgren, Sean Doherty, Paul Schommer, and Jake Brown scored tenth overall for the U.S., finishing 4:09.8 back using nine spares.
Leif Nordgren (USA) tagging Sean Doherty during the men’s relay in Ruhpolding, Germany. (Photo: NordicFocus).
Jake Brown (USA) on the range during the men’s relay in Ruhpolding, Germany. (Photo: NordicFocus)
Canada’s Jules Burnotte, Scott Gow, Aidan Millar, and Christian Gow placed 19th (+6:27.6; 1+14). Twenty-six teams were represented.
In this 60 athlete field, Norway’s Tiril Eckhoff ran away with the win in 34:08.7 while missing a single target in her four shooting bouts. Slovakia’s Pauline Fialkova was second (+46.3;1+0+0+1), and Hannah Öberg of Sweden third (+55.1; 0+1+0+1).
Susan Dunklee during the women’s relay in Ruhpolding. She placed 10th in the weekend’s pursuit event for a season best result. (Photo: NordicFocus)
Dunklee notched a season best result with her 10th place. The U.S. biathlete finished 1:39.7 behind while shooting 0+1+2+0. Her teammate Egan was six spots behind in 16th overall (+2:01.8; 0+0+1+1). This was Egan’s best individual result thus far in the 2019-2020 season.
Off to the tracks: Clare Egan (bib 28) during the women’s pursuit in Ruhpolding. She placed 16th overall. Susan Dunklee, her teammate, is pictured in bib 25. (Photo: NordicFocus)
Susan Dunklee (bib 25) and Clare Egan (bib 28) after the women’s pursuit in Ruhpolding. (Photo: NordicFocus)
Again, there was no stopping the French. Fourcade took the win in 31:26.8 while shooting clean, with Fillon Maillet in second (+17.6; 0+0+1+0). Norway’s Vetle Sjåstad Christiansen placed third (+46.0; 0+0+0+1).
Martin Fourcade (FRA) leads Quentin Fillon Maillet (FRA) during the men’s pursuit in Ruhpolding. (Photo: NordicFocus)
Doherty was the top American in 32nd (+2:58.7; 3+0+1+0). Nordgren placed 55th (+5:30.1; 2+2+0+0), and Brown 56th (+5:49.9; 2+2+1+2).
For Canada, Burnotte skied to 47th (+4:07.4; 1+1+2+1), Christian Gow 49th (+4:22.1; 1+1+1+1), and Scott Gow 50th (+4:37.8; 0+1+1+1).
Mid-week, the IBU World Cup circus moved to Ruhpolding, Germany. The women raced a 7.5-kilometer sprint and saw Norway’s Tiril Eckhoff take the win and snag the yellow overall World Cup leader’s bib from Italy’s Dorothea Wierer. Eckhoff now leads Wierer by a scant three points in the overall standings. This was Eckhoff’s fifth individual win of the 2019-2020 season.
Norway’s Tiril Eckhoff racing for the win during the Ruhpolding, Germany sprint. With the win, Eckhoff secured the overall IBU World Cup leader’s bib. (Photo: NordicFocus)
Eckhoff won Wednesday’s sprint in 18:55.5, while shooting clean. Sweden’s Hanna Öberg was second (+29.7; 0+0), with Weirer in third (+36.8; 0+0).
Dorothea Wierer (ITA) placed third in Ruhpolding’s sprint. (Photo: NordicFocus).
The U.S. had two athletes in the top-30. Susan Dunklee placed 25th (+1:34.0; 1+0), and Clare Egan 28th (+1:40.9; 0+1). Also for the U.S., Deedra Irwin skied to 79th (+3:01.8; 0+2), and Hallie Grossman 93rd (+4:00.6; 2+1).
Susan Dunklee was the top North American in 25th during Wednesday’s sprint in Ruhpolding, Germany. (Photo: NordicFocus)
Canada’s Emma Lunder placed 53rd (+2:14.0; 1+0), Megan Bankes 82nd (+3:08.4; 1+1), Sarah Beaudry 94th (+4:01.3; 2+0), and Nadia Moser 104th (+5:18.0; 2+3).
The top-60 biathletes qualified for Sunday’s 10 k pursuit in Ruhpolding. Racing continues on Thursday for the men with a 10 k sprint.
With the weekend closed out in Oberhof, Germany and the start of the second IBU World Cup trimester underway it’s time for, thank you Seth Meyer, … a closer look.
The men’s mass start in Oberhof. (Photo: NordicFocus)
Norway’s male biathlon ringer, Johannes Thingnes Bø, was on the sideline for the weekend. Prior to the Oberhof stop, he had worn the yellow bib as the IBU World Cup overall leader. Post-Oberhof, it was time for a change. A small change really in the big perspective of challengers. France’s Martin Fourcade leaves Oberhof donning yellow, a color he has been well acquainted with in the past.
Martin Fourcade, here in the Oberhof mass start, won the race and seized the overall leader’s bib. (Photo: NordicFocus)
Fourcade’s overall lead is the result of a two win weekend. He won the 10 k sprint on Friday and followed that with a win Sunday in the 15 k mass start. In four shooting rounds during the mass start, Fourcade went 0+1+0+1 to win in 41:01.4. No North Americans qualified for the race.
Fourcade was also part of the French 4 x 7.5 k relay team that placed second on Saturday. Norway won that race, with neither Bø brother racing. Germany placed third. The U.S. team of Sean Doherty, Leif Nordgren, Paul Schommer, and Jake Brown skied to 12th overall. Canada’s Jules Burnotte, Scott Gow, Aidan Millar, and Christian Gow were 14th out of 26 teams.
Kaisa Makarainen from Finland won the 10 k mass start in 39:58.9 after missing a single target in her first bout of shooting. Otherwise, she shot clean. Norway’s Tiril Eckhoff placed second (+30.2; 0+0+3+1), and Marte Olsbu Roeiseland third (+35.0; 1+0+1+1).
Emma Lunder of Canada during the women’s mass start in Oberhof, Germany. Lunder was 15th overall. (Photo: NordicFocus)
Canada’s Emma Lunder continued her strong skiing with a 15th place (+2:14.8; 0+2+4+1). Susan Dunklee of the U.S. raced to 21st (+2:56.3; 0+3+1+4).
Susan Dunklee of the U.S. during the women’s 4 x 6 k relay. Dunklee placed 21st in Sunday’s mass start. (Photo: NordicFocus)
This brings us to the women’s overall standings on the IBU World Cup circuit. Italy’s Dorothea Wierer, with 390 points, wears the leader’s bib. The Italian placed fourth in the mass start, over a minute out, and had five misses total on the range. Eckhoff is second overall with 381 points.
A television camera takes Justine Braisaz (FRA), Tiril Eckhoff (NOR), Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold (NOR), Dorothea Wierer (ITA), Denise Herrmann (GER) in focus, (l-r) during the women’s Oberhof mass start. (Photo: NordicFocus)
In the women’s 4 x 6 k relay contested on Saturday, Norway won in a total time of 1:14:11.5 hours shooting 0+11. The U.S. team of Susan Dunklee, Clare Egan, Hallie Grossman, and Emily Dreissigacker were 12th (+4:33.8; 1+12). Canada’s Sarah Beaudry, Emily Dickson, Nadia Moser, and Emma Lunder placed 20th, as they were eventually lapped. Twenty-three teams began the race.
Tiril Eckhoff (NOR) winner of the women’s 10 k pursuit in Annecy-Le Grand Bornand, France. (Photo: NordicFocus)
Pursuit Day in Annecy-Le Grand Bornand, France as the IBU World Cup presented back-to-back pursuit races.
Bib 1 starter from Norway, Tiril Eckhoff, won the women’s 10-kilometer pursuit in 29:41.6 shooting 1+0+1+0 for the race. As the winner of yesterday’s sprint, she brings her individual race total to three this year on the IBU World Cup. Her teammate, wearing bib 6, Ingrid Landmark Tandervold, placed second (+38.1; 1+0+1+0). Lena Haecki of Switzerland finished in third (+46.0; 0+1+1+0).
Emma Lunder of Canada racing to 25th in Annecy-Le Grand Bornand, France during the women’s 10 k pursuit. (Photo: NordicFocus)
Canada’s Emma Lunder jumped 11 places from her start bib number, 36, to place 25th overall (+2:46.3; 0+2+0+0). Clare Egan of the U.S. began in bib 42 and placed 29th (+2:53.0; 0+0+1+1). Her teammate Joanne Reid was 54th (+5:33.4; 1+0+2+3).
Sarah Beaudry of Canada was 56th (+5:47.3; 2+1+0+1).
U.S. Biathlon’s Clare Egan on her way to 29th in the women’s 10 k pursuit in Annecy-Le Grand Bornand, France. (Photo: NordicFocus)
Johannes Thingnes Bø of Norway earning another win. Pictured here, he’s on the range during the men’s 12.5 k pursuit in Annecy-Le Grand Bornand, France. (Photo: NordicFocus).
The men raced a 12.5 k pursuit and Johannes Thingnes Bø of Norway, starting in bib 4 won in 30:07.8 while missing a single target in his first shooting bout. Including relays, it was Bø’s sixth win of the season. France’s Maillet Quentin Fillon placed second (+22.0) after shooting clean. Vetle Sjåstad Christiansen of Norway was third (+1:00.0; 0+0+1+0).
Leif Nordgren of the U.S. raced to 48th (+4:36.3; 1+1+1+1), while teammate Sean Doherty finished 54th (+5:06.0; 1+2+2+0).
Tarjei Boe (NOR), Quentin Fillon Maillet (FRA), Johannes Thingnes Boe (NOR), Erlend Bjoentegaard (NOR), (l-r) during the IBU World Cup 12.5 k pursui in Annecy-Le Grand Bornand, France. (Photo: NordicFocus)
Canada’s Emma Lunder, Sarah Beaudry, Nadia Moser, and Megan Bankes (l-r) after placing fifth at the IBU World Cup biathlon 4 x 6 k relay in Hochfilzen (AUT). (Photo: NordicFocus)
On Saturday and Sunday, racing continued on the IBU World Cup in Hochfilzen, Austria. Some story lines remained familiar, some reflect the national diversity of the biathlon circuit and that on any given day, a historically non-dominant team can excel.
Sarah Beaudry during the Hochfilzen relay. (Photo: NordicFocus)
Nadia Moser during the Hochfilzen relay. (Photo: NordicFocus)
Megan Bankes racing in the women’s 4 x 6 k relay in Hochfilzen. (Photo: NordicFocus).
Emma Lunder anchors the Canadian women’s relay team in Hochfilzen. (Photo: NordicFocus)
Saturday featured a women’s 4 x 6-kilometer relay and the men’s 12.5 k pursuit.
Norway’s team of Karoline Offigstad Knotten, Ingrid Landmark Tandervold, Tiril Eckhoff, and Marte Olsbu Roeiseland won the relay in 1:10:04.7 with one penalty and using seven spares. Kristina Reztsova, Larisa Kuklina, Svetlana Mironova, Ekaterina Yurlova-Percht of Russia finished 8.2 seconds back for second place. Russia had no penalties after using five spares. Switzerland’s Elisa Gasparin, Selina Gasparin, Alta Gasparin, and Lena Haecki took the final podium spot (+1:04.1; 1+9).
For North America, Canada came through with a fifth place overall (+1:09.3). Sarah Beaudry, Megan Bankes, Nadia Moser, and Emma Lunder shot penalty free after using seven spares. According to Biathlon Stats and Facts, this is the Canadian women’s best relay result since the 1994/1995 season.
The U.S. team of Joanne Reid, Susan Dunklee, Clare Egan, and Emily Dreissigacker placed eighth overall (+1:37.0 0+6).
That same day, Johannes Thingnes Bø, Norway’s dominant biathlete on the men’s side, won the 12.5 k pursuit in 31:27.0 while shooting clean. Russia’s Alexander Loginov, who also shot clean, took second (+33.5). Emilien Jacquelin was third (+40.5; 0+0+0+0).
For the U.S., Sean Doherty placed 49th (+5:12.6; 1+2+2+1), and Leif Nordgren 53rd (+6:17.2; 1+2+2+2). No Canadian men qualified for the pursuit.
Race festivities on Sunday included the men’s 4 x 7.5 relay and the women’s 10 k pursuit.
We’ll get to the podium spots shortly, but again Canada came through with a near podium performance in the relay. Jules Burnotte, Scott Gow, Aidan Millar, and Christian Gow had no penalties while using six spares to place fourth (+1:28.7). That matches a World Cup best fourth place, earned back in 1991. (Canada earned bronze in the men’s relay at the 2016 World Championships in Oslo, Norway.)
Christian Gow, Aidan Millar, Scott Gow, Jules Burnotte, (l-r) after placing fourth at the Hochfilzen men’s relay. (Photo: NordicFocus)
Scott Gow and Jules Burnotte (l-r) during the Hochfilzen men’s relay. (NordicFocus).
Aidan Millar during the men’s relay in Hochfilzen. (Photo: NordicFocus)
Christian Gow during the 2019 Hochfilzen relay. (NordicFocus).
Johannes Dale, Erlend Øvereng Bjøntegaard, Tarjei Bø, and Johannes Thingnes Bø of Norway won the event in 1:14:44.2. The foursome had a single penalty and used seven spares. Germany’s Philipp Horn, Johannes Kuehn, Arnd Peiffer, and Benedikt Doll were second (+19.5; 0+4). France was third with Antonin Guigonnat, Emilien Jacquelin, Fabien Claude, and Quentin Fillon Maillet. They finished 51.9 seconds back with a single penalty and using eight spares.
The U.S. team of Sean Doherty, Alex Howe, Leif Nordgren, and Travis Cooper were 18th (+5:33.5: 3+9).
The women’s 10 k pursuit was won by Norwegian Tiril Eckhoff in 29:14.6. Eckhoff shot clean on her way to the win. It was her first career World Cup pursuit victory. Sweden’s Hanna Hannah Öberg was second (+25.8; 0+1+1+0). Ingrid Landmark Tandervold, also of Norway, was third (+39.7; 0+0+1+0).
Lunder, the only North American to qualify, placed 37th (+3:09.0; 1+0+1+1).
Johannes Thingnes Bø of Norway and Martin Fourcade of France on the range during the IBU World Cup 4 x 7.5 k relay in Östersund, Sweden. (Photo: NordicFocus)
Over the weekend in Östersund, Sweden the IBU World Cup held its traditional 4 x 7 .5-kilometer for the men, and 4 x 5 k relays for the women.
Saturday, Norway’s team of Johannes Dale, Erlend Øvereng Bjøntegaard, Tarjei Bø, and Johannes Thingnes Bø won the men’s race in 1:10:30.4 hours. In total, the team used nine spares with no penalty laps.
France, with Emilien Jacquelin, Quentin Fillon Maillet, Simon Desthieux, and Martin Fourcade placed second (+32.3; 1+7).
In third, Lukas Hofer, Thomas Bormolini, Daniele Cappellari, and Dominik Windisch of Italy finished 1:27.1 minutes back with no penalties and using eight spares.
Scott Gow during the IBU World Cup 4 x 7.5 k relay in Östersund, Sweden. (Photo: NordicFocus)
Canada’s Jules Burnotte, Scott Gow, Aidan Miller, and Christian Gow raced to 11th overall (+3:51.5) with two penalties while using 11 spares. The U.S. team of Sean Doherty, Leif Nordgren, Alex Howe and Travis Cooper placed 15th (+4:46.7; 0+13) in a 26 team field.
Leif Nordgren during the IBU World Cup 4 x 7.5 k relay in Östersund, Sweden. (Photo: NordicFocus)
For the women, Norway also secured the top spot. Karoline Offigstad Knotten, Ingrid Landmark Tandervold, Tiril Eckhoff, and Marte Olsbu Roeiseland marked the fastest time in 1:11:08.7 with no penalties and using 10 spares. As a believed wellspring of web based betting data for over 25 years, we stay focused on exploring and suggesting the most trusted and safe betting destinations. The accompanying internet casinos at http://www.bestcasinosincanada.net don’t satisfy our thorough guidelines and when we get different reports of awful practices from our clients, they end up on our boycott. Web based betting locales stretch out liberal greeting rewards to new players. Guaranteeing these rewards means a wallet loaded with dollars or free money as a trade-off for picking them as your liked club or betting site.
Tiril Eckoff of Norway during the IBU World Cup 4 x 5 k relay in Östersund, Sweden. (Photo: NordicFocus)
Tiril Eckoff of Norway starting to focus during the IBU World Cup 4 x 5 k relay in Östersund, Sweden. (Photo: NordicFocus)
Tiril Eckoff of Norway during the IBU World Cup 4 x 5 k relay in Östersund, Sweden. (Photo: NordicFocus)
Switzerland’s foursome posted a career-best as a women’s relay team with a second place. Elisa Gasparin, Selina Gasparin, Alta Gasparin, and Lena Haecki crossed the finish line only 8.5 seconds behind Norway. As a team, they had no penalties while using four spares total. (The three Gasparins are sisters.)
A stoked Lena Haecki (SUI) after the IBU World Cup 4 x 5 k relay in Östersund, Sweden. (Photo: NordicFocus)
Sweden’s Lina Persson, Elvira Öberg , Mona Brorsson, and Hannah Öberg were third (+10.2; 0+8).
For the U.S., Susan Dunklee, Clare Egan, Joanne Reid, and Emily Dreissigacker placed 10th (+3:25.0; 0+8). Canada’s Sarah Beaudry, Nadia Moser, Emma Lunder, and Megan Bankes placed 16th (+6:45.5; 2+15).
Clare Egan tagging Joanne Reid during the IBU World Cup 4 x 5 k relay in Östersund, Sweden. (Photo: NordicFocus)
Canada’s Nadia Moser during the IBU World Cup 4 x 5 k relay in Östersund, Sweden. (Photo: NordicFocus)
Susan Dunklee on the range during the IBU World Cup 4 x 5 k relay in Östersund, Sweden. (Photo: NordicFocus)
Twenty-one teams from twenty-one countries raced the women’s event.
Justine Braisaz (FRA) skiing to victory in the Östersund, 15 k individual. (Photo: NordicFocus)
The women contested the 15-kilometer individual race in Östersund, Sweden on Thursday. As the IBU World Cup gets into gear, the French are proving to be podium top-step magnets. (Martin Fourcade won the men’s 20 k individual race on Wednesday.)
Justine Braisaz won in 42:35.1 minutes while missing two targets in her first shooting stage, otherwise she shot clean. Ukraine’s Yuliia Dzhima was second (+11.1; 0+0+0+0), and France’s Julia Simon third (+17.7; 0+0+0+2).
Clare Egan (USA) during the IBU World Cup 15 k individual in Östersund. (Photo:NordicFocus)
Clare Egan was the top American in 35th (+4:13.8; 0+2+0+2). Susan Dunklee was 73rd (+7:09.7; 1+3+0+3), Emily Dreissigacker 83rd (+8:15.5; 0+2+1+1), while Joanne Reid did not start.
For Canada, Nadia Moser placed 88th (+9:03.7; 1+2+2+3), Sarah Beaudry 92nd (+9:25.8; 2+1+2+1), and Emma Lunder did not start.
Racing continues on Saturday in Östersund with the men’s 4 x 7.5 k relay. The women race a 4 x 6 k relay on Sunday.
Sunny skies at the 2019 IBU World Cup women’s 7.5 k sprint in Oslo, Norway. (Photo: biathlonworld.com screenshot)
The IBU World Cup resides in Oslo this week. The women began the racing with the 7.5-kilometer sprint on Thursday.
The podium rundown goes like this: Slovakia’s Kuzmina Anastasiya shot 1+0 to win in 19:56.2, Germany’s Franziska Preuss placed second (+21.2, 0+0), with Paulina Fialkova of Slovakia in third (+25.1, 0+0).
This was Kuzmina’s fifth win at Holmenkollen and secured her the IBU sprint overall title.
Canada’s Emma Lunder was the top North American in ninth place. Lunder clean both shooting bouts and was 49.0 seconds behind the winning time. This was a career best individual result for Lunder on the IBU World Cup.
Norway’s Therese Johaug with the Holmenkollen 30 k classic win and no challengers in site. (Photo: ARD screenshot)
FIS World Cup Oslo, Norway Holmenkollen 30 k Classic
Beautiful sunshine. Norwegian crowds. And fine views of Oslo fjord from atop the Holmenkollen venue for the women’s 30-kilometer mass start classic. All things typical on a good weather March day in Oslo.
Norway’s Therese Johuag took this fine day and turned the screws on the 47 starters on Sunday to once again ski away from the field. By the second points bonus at 8k, Johaug was already 23.6 seconds up on the field. She won the race in 1:18:54.5 hours. According to the International Ski Federation (FIS), this was Johaug’s third 30 k win at Holmenkollen and her second classical victory. She won the 30 k skate in 2013. Her first Oslo 30 k classic win came in 2016.
Russia’s Natalia Nepryaeva placed second 1:45.9 minutes back. Ebba Andersson of Sweden skied to third (+149.9).
Rosie Brennan (APU) was the top U.S. skier in 33rd (+ 7:57.0). Rosie Frankowski (APU) placed 34th (+9:40.2), and Kaitlynn Miller (CGRP) 42nd (+13:43.7).
Jessica Yeaton (APU/Australian National Team) raced to 30th (+7:29.4).
IBU World Championships Östersund, Sweden 10 k/12.5k Pursuit
On Saturday’s 10 k pursuit at the IBU World Champs in Östersund, Sweden the German women took first and third. Denise Herrmann won in 31:45.9 minutes with two penalties in her third shooting stage. Tiril Eckhoff of Norwayplaced second, 31.4 seconds back while also skiing two penalties in her third shooting stage. Germany’s Laura Dahlmeier was a close third (0+0+1+0, +31.6).
Clare Egan of the U.S. was 12th (2+0+0+3, +2:44.3), Susan Dunklee raced to 24th (2+0+0+1, +3:27.6), and Joanne Reid 32nd (3+2+1+0, +4:24.2).
For Canada, Sarah Beaudry finished 42nd (2+1+1+0, +5:23.5), while Rosanna Crawford, Emma Lunder, and Megan Bankes were lapped.
In Östersund on Sunday, the men raced the 12.5 k pursuit. Ukraine’s Dmytro Pidruchnyi, who placed fourth in yesterday’s sprint, came away with the win in 31:54.1. Remarkably, it was Pidruchnyi’s first race win either on the IBU World Cup or at the championship level. The 27 year old missed two targets for the day.
Johannes Thingnes Bø of Norway, the biathlete who has dominated the men’s side this season, placed second (+8.3). Bø’s ski speed was such that he took silver despite missing five targets he won the Silver medal. Taking third (+17.7) was France’s Quentin Fillon Maillet. He missed three targets in earning bronze.
For the U.S., Sean Doherty raced to 20th (+1:54.3) while missing two targets. Leif Nordgren placed 44th (0+0+3+1, +4:02.7), and Jake Brown 53rd (1+1+4+1, +6:00.8).
Canada’s Scott Gow began in bib 50, and skied up to finish 43rd (2+0+0+2, +3:51.4).
Clare Egan for the U.S. on her way to placing 11th overall in the women’s 7.5 k sprint at the 2019 IBU World Championships. (Photo: ARD screenshot)
On Friday’s second day of racing at the IBU World Championships in Östersund, Sweden the women raced the 7.5-kilometer sprint. Slovakia’s Anastasiya Kuzmina skied a single penalty lap to mark a winning time of 22:17.5 minutes. Norway’s Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold shot clean to place second, 9.7 seconds back. Laura Dahlmeier of Germany also shot clean to earn third place at 12.6 seconds behind.
In her fourth World Championships, Clare Egan for the U.S. earned her best career individual championship result by placing 11th (+33.3). Egan skied a single penalty lap shooting prone. Also in for a championship career best was U.S. biathlete, Joanne Reid. Reid raced to 15th overall (+50.1) while shooting clean. This is Reid’s second World Championships.
Also for the U.S., Susan Dunklee placed 57th (+2:30.6) missing two targets each in prone and standing.
Joanne Reid of the U.S. skiing to 15th overall in the 7.5 k sprint at the 2019 IBU World Championships. (Photo: ARD screenshot)
Rosanna Crawford was the top Canadian in 18th. She finished 56.0 seconds back after missing a single target shooting prone. Sarah Beaudry for Canada was 47th (0+2, +2:09.8), Emma Lunder 51st (0+1,+2:11.4), and Megan Bankes 58th (0+2,+2:31.7).
The top 60 athletes advance to Sunday’s 10 k pursuit.
“Yesterday in the mixed relay was probably one of my worst ski days of the year,” Crawford wrote in a post-race email. “So I didn’t have high expectations going into today’s sprint. Especially with the conditions we were faced with, fresh deep snow is not my forte! But I just focused on what I could control, my skiing and shooting and went for it. I’m really happy with how things turned out, 9/10 on a windy day is good and skiing was one my of best of the year. Our techs have been working so hard and delivered some incredible skis today as well! I’m also pumped we have all four of us in the pursuit on Sunday!”
Norway’s Marte Olsbu Røiseland was today’s winner in the 7.5 k sprint at Soldier Hollow near Midway, Utah. (Photo: boathlonworld.com screenshot)
IBU World Cup Soldier Hollow (Midway), Utah women’s 7.5 k Sprint
The name itself carries with it a reputation for high heart rates. Nestled on the East slope of Utah’s Wasatch Mountains, Soldier Hollow (SoHo), the sight of this week’s IBU World Cup races, features tracks well above 5,000 feet in altitude. Junior and senior skiers understand that a hard effort at SoHo come with a mandatory lactic acid tax.
Not since 2002 at the Salt Lake Olympics has the storied venue hosted an international World Cup level (cross-country or biathlon) race.
On Thursday, under overcast skies and amidst a venue overlooking a snowy Heber Valley, the women began the SoHo biathlon festivities with a 7.5-kilometer sprint.
Norway’s Marte Olsbu Røiseland won the race in a time of 19:47.6 minutes. The 7.5 k sprint features two shooting bouts, prone then standing, and Røiseland cleaned both on her way to the win. Following in second place 11.5 seconds back was Kaisa Mäkäräinen of Finland. Mäkäräinen missed one target in standing. Germany’s Franziska Hildebrand took the third podium spot while she cleaned on the range to stop the clock in 21.4 seconds behind Røiseland ‘s winning time.
Clare Egan of the U.S. led the way for North American biathletes in 21st (+1:34.1, 0+1). Also for the U.S., Susan Dunklee raced to 45th (+2:35.8, 0+3), and Joanne Reid 52nd (+2:45.5, 1+1).
Rosanne Crawford was the top Canadian in 24th. Crawford shot clean to finish 1:39.0 back. Sarah Beaudry was 55th (+2:53.3), Emma Lunder 56th (+2:56.3, 1+2), and Megan Bankes 76th (+4:39.5, 3+1).
Eighty-three athletes finished the sprint.
Racing continues tomorrow in SoHo with the men’s 10 k sprint.
Johannes Thingnes Bø of Norway shot clean and skied fast in Canmore’s 15 k short individual race on Thursday. (Photo: biathlonworld.com screenshot)
IBU World Cup Canmore, Canada 15 k/ 12.5 k Short Individual Races
Sun, mountains, and what may have seemed like relatively warm temps allowed the IBU World Cup events to proceed on Thursday in Canmore, Canada. It’s been Polar Vortex cold in Canmore. Cold enough to thwart the original plans for traditional length 20-kilometer and 15 k individual races, for men and women respectively. With cold temperatures predicted all week, and a window of legal-limit warmer weather punching through on Thursday, the races were shortened to provide enough time during the warming window to hold both races.
For the men, this fill in the blank is easy: _________________ dominated the day in the men’s 15 k short individual race as he shot clean and skied faster than all the others.
Johannes Thingnes Bø of Norway did shoot clean. And he skied fast. And he won in a time of 35:27.9 minutes. For the twenty-four-year-old Bø, it was his 12th win of the season as he continues to cement his grip on the IBU World Cup overall.
His Norwegian teammate Vetle Sjåstad Christiansen, finished second (+2:10.2, 1+0+0+1), with Alexander Loginov in third (+2:41.0, 1+1+0+0).
Canada’s Chirstian Gow posted a career best 10th place. Gow stopped the clock 3:05.4 minutes after the winning time, as he went 0+1+0+0 for a single penalty on the shooting range.
“I didn’t treat the race any differently,” Gow emailed when considering the 15 k format. “It is still an Individual where each penalty is a major set-back so I knew I needed to keep the same focus for the race. It was something new, so a bit more of an unknown going in to it … I actually started a bit harder than I normally would. I wasn’t sure if I could keep the pace going, but in the end I managed it so I’m happy that it worked out!”
For the U.S., Sean Doherty was the second best North American in 27th. Doherty finished 4:29.0 minutes behind, and went 0+1+0+1 on the range.
“Today the shortened format was welcome as the snow conditions were very abrasive and slow. as far as a tactics go the shorter distance is just a bit more aggressive pacing but that’s about it,” Doherty wrote FasterSkier to explain how the shortened race might impact his race strategy.
Much of the past week was prohibitively cold for athletes. Some ventured outdoors for training, with many making due with local gyms and indoor training facilities.
“The cold temperatures as we are dealing with here have some added challenges,” Doherty added. “The biggest one being keeping your hands warm. Lots of people have their own tricks but you usually sacrifice some dexterity in the range but it is necessary because it is even harder to shoot with numb fingers. The other thing you see is the tape on our faces to try to protect frostbite prone areas. Then it’s all about layers and you end up doing a lot of fussing around with all the clothing you are wearing.”
For the U.S., Leif Nordgren raced to 43rd (+5:48.3, 0+1+0+1), Max Durtschi 71st (+7:52.5, 0+2+1+2), Travis Cooper 73rd (+8:01.0, 1+1+1+2).
Also for Canada, Scott Gow placed 40th (+5:42.6), Jules Burnotte 57th (+7:00.2, 3+1+2+0), Aidan Millar 81st (+8:34.0, 2+1+1+2).
The women’s 12.5 k short individual race was run with increasing cloud cover and temperatures hovering around 10 degrees Fahrenheit.
Norway’s Tiril Eckhoff took the win in 36:32.9 minutes with a single penalty. It was Eckhoff’s first career IBU World Cup win in the individual event.
The Czech Republic’s Marketa Davidova raced to second as she cleaned her shooting stages and finished 9.2 seconds back. Lisa Vittozzi of Italy was third, 20.9 seconds behind, while also shooting clean.
Megan Bankes was the top placed Canadian in 26th (+3:14.5, 1+0+1+0). Canmore’s local biathlete Rosanna Crawford was 29th (+3:21.7, 0+1+0+1). Sarah Beaudry was 34th (+3:36.5, 1+0+1+0), and Emma Lunder 63rd (+5:51.3, 1+0+4+1).
Clare Egan was he top American in 43rd (+4:17.5, 1+0+1+2). Joanne Reid skied to 64th (+5:55.9, 0+2+1+1), Emily Dreissigacker 66th (+6:07.1, 0+0+0+2).
Johannes Thingnes Bø of Norway has dominated the win column. So far this season, he has 12 victories to his name and leads the IBU men’s overall standings. (Photo: biathonworld.com)
With six of the nine stops on the International Biathlon Union (IBU) World Cup circuit complete, IBU athletes will take a brief hiatus from Europe this February and venture across the Atlantic for a race tour in North America.
The first stop for biathletes, coaches and fans will be Canmore, Albert. Canada–the last World Cup races having taken place there in 2016. Following Canmore, the IBU will head for U.S. soil: The Soldier Hollow Nordic Center (SoHo) in Midway, Utah. The 2019 IBU World Cup races will be the first major biathlon event held at the SoHo venue since the Salt Lake City Winter Olympic Games.
With 15 competitions already in the bag this season, the men’s IBU World Cup is currently led by Norwegian Johannes Thinges Bø, who has accumulated a total of 836 points for the coveted top-dog position.
Bø kicked off his World Cup season with back-to-back wins in Pokljuka, Slovenia, claiming first in the IBU’s opening sprint and then winning the following day’s pursuit. (He placed seventh in the men’s individual 20 k that weekend). In Hochfilzen, Austria, the 25 year old won the sprint before placing ninth in the next day’s pursuit. In Nové Město, Czech Republic he completed a hat trick win, sweeping the sprint, pursuit and mass start.
He dropped a position in the Oberhof, Germany sprint, finishing second, only to reclaim his position at the top in the pursuit. Ruhpolding, Germany once again found him with a triple win: in the men’s relay, one in the sprint and one in the mass start.
Johannes Thingnes Bø scored his 10th IBU World Cup win of the season in the 10 k sprint in Antholz, Italy. (Photo: biathlon world.com screenshot)
By the time he competed in Antholz, Italy–the final European destination before the North IBU’s American tour–Bø had accumulated two more wins and one second place. All told, the Norwegian has won 12 of the 16 IBU World Cup competitions he has entered this season and missed the podium twice.
Following Bø on the the men’s IBU World Cup Top 3 this season is France’s Martin Fourcade in second place with 554 points. Fourcade was the overall leader last season, ahead of Bø who was second. This year, Fourcade is currently trailing Bø by 288 points. At the age of 30, Fourcade has accrued a grand total of 76 individual victories over the course of his career, while Bø, five years younger than Fourcade, has 33. Third in the 2018/2019 IBU World Cup overall standings is Russian Alexander Loginov with 548 points.
Scoring 183 points and ranked 28th in the overall, Canada’s Christian Gow currently leads the North American men on the IBU World Cup. Gow opened his season with three Top 20 finishes in Pokljuka, placing 16th in the individual, 17th in the sprint and 14th in the pursuit. He had a career best finish in the Ruhpolding mass start, racing to 11th place. Altogether, Gow has finished in the Top 30 11 times this year.
Behind Gow, American Sean Doherty is ranked 37th and Canadian Scott Gow, Christian Gow’s brother, is 47th. Leif Nordgren and Jake Brown of the U.S. are ranked 57th and 88th respectively, while Canada’s Jules Burnotte currently sits in 73rd.
Norway’s Marte Olsbu Røiseland out skiing Italy’s Dorothea Wierer on Satrday’s 10 k pursuit in Nové Město, Czech Republic. (Photo: biathlonworld.com)
On the women’s side, Italy’s Dorothea Wierer is the woman to watch–or watch out for–thus far this season, currently ranked first in the overall standings with 632 points. The 28-year-old-Wierer earned three victories this season, winning the Hochfilzen sprint and relay then later the Antholz pursuit. Including those wins, Wierer has landed on the podium six times during the 2018/2019 IBU World Cup race year. Last season, Wierer finished fifth in the overall standings.
The Italian women have proven themselves in good form this year with Italy’s Lisa Vittozzi taking up second in the standings behind Wierer with 598 points. At 23-years-of-age, Vittozzi earned the first wins of her career this season, claiming first in the Oberhof sprint and pursuit.
Behind the Italians, Norway’s Marte Olsbu Røiseland is presently ranked third in the standings with 508 points.
Team USA’s Clare Egan has had a banner IBU World Cup race season, ranked 22nd at present with 258 points. Egan’s World Cup success this season began in Pokljuka where she had a career best sixth place finish in the women’s pursuit.
Clare Egan during her second shooting stage in Oberhof’s sprint on Thursday. (Photo: NBC Gold screenshot)
“I am frankly amazed with my skiing,” the 31 year old Egan had written in an email to FasterSkier after the Pokljuka race weekend. “I knew I was in great shape, but this week my ski times were 11, 6 and today 1st. I think small changes and improvements in my training are coming together to make this big difference. The most important factor in my performance is our new women’s coach, Armin Auchentaller. He is the right coach for me.”
Following her sixth place, Egan has had 11 Top 30 performances this season, three of those coming from relays, the rest individual. Egan, who began competing in the sport six years ago, made a visibly large jump season, having finished last year’s overall standings ranked 63rd.
Susan Dunklee is the next highest ranked North American woman in 31st (154 points). Over the course of her biathlon career, Dunklee has accumulated 5 IBU World Cup podiums and one silver World Championships medal, though her top performance this season was seventh in the Oberhof pursuit.
Canada’s Rosanna Crawford is ranked 53rd, Sarah Beaudry 57th, Emma Lunder 58th, and Megan Bankes 73rd. A third American, Joanne Reid, is currently 55th.
Finland’s Kaisa Mäkäräinen on her way to second place in the 2019 Antholz, Italy women’s 7.5 k sprint. Sunny and calm weather greeted racers on Thursday. (Photo: biathlon world.com screenshot)
IBU World Cup Antholz, Italy Women’s 7.5 k sprint
For Marketa Davidova of the Czech Republic it was a career first IBU World Cup win in Antholz, Italy. She won the women’s 7.5 k sprint in 21:40.7 minutes after she shot clean in both her prone and standing shooting stages.
Finland’s Kaisa Mäkäräinen placed a close second, finishing 1.7 seconds behind after skiing a single penalty lap after her standing bout. Marte Olsbu Røiseland of Norway was third (+3.5, 1+0).
US Biathlon placed two skiers in the top-30. Clare Egan continued her run of solid performances by placing 22nd (+56.7, 0+2). Egan’s clean shooting teammate Joanne Reid placed 29th (+1:12.4, 0+0). Susan Dunklee placed 66th (+2:31.0, 2+2).
Rosanna Crawford of Canada raced to 23rd overall, 58.3 seconds back while skiing a single penalty lap in prone. Megan Bankes placed 26th (+1:05.8, 0+1), Sarah Beaudry 40th (+1:33.5, 1+0), and Emma Lunder 61st (+2:25.5, 2+1).
The brothers Bø. Norway’s Johannes Thingnes Bø (right) of Norway with the sprint in Ruhpolding, Germany. His brother Tarjei (left) placed second. (Photo: biathlonworld.com screen capture)
IBU World Cup Biathlon Ruhpolding, Germany 10 k / 7.5 k sprint
Cutting to the chase: it has been dumping in certain regions of the alps. Ruhpolding, Germany, site of this week’s International Biathlon Union (IBU) World Cup’s has been no exception.
The men’s 10-kilometer sprint that went off today under clear skies had been postponed, it was scheduled to run Wednesday. Race officials postponed the race due to a weather related (read heavy snowfall) state of emergency in the district of Traunstein, where Ruhpolding is located.
With a bit more rest in their legs, Norway’s Bø went one and two in the results.
The younger of the brothers, twenty-five-year-old Johannes Thingnes Bø won in a time of 22:56.3 minutes after skiing a single penalty lap. Johannes Bø cleaned his prone stage, while missing one target while standing.
The elder Bø, thirty-year-old Tarjei Bø placed second (+7.9) after cleaning both shooting stages. It was Tarjei’s second individual podium of the season. Benedikt Doll of Germany was third (+10.5), with one penalty while standing. France’s perennial biathlon star Martin Fourcade was fourth (+15.9) with no penalties.
Sean Doherty of the U.S. was the best placed North American in 23rd (+1:10.2, 1+0). As of late, Doherty has been racing consistently in the top-30.
Also for the U.S., Jake Brown shot clean to finish 47th, 1:40.8 minutes back. Leif Nordgren placed 50th (+1:45.3, 0+0), and Max Durtschi 103rd (+3:29.0, 2+2).
Canada’s Scott Gow skied to 42nd (+1:36.0, 0+1). His brother Christian Gow placed 56th (+1:52.7, 0+1), Jules Burnotte skied and shot to 67th (+2:01.5, 1+0), and Aidan Millar 102nd (+3:26.4).
Friday’s racing in Ruhpolding will feature a 4 x 7.5 k and 4 x 6 k relays for the men and women respectively.
Anatasiya Kuzmina won the women’s 7.5 k sprint on Thursday in a time of 19:15.1 minutes. It was Kuzmina’s second win of the 2018/2019 IBU World Cup season. Kuzmina’s day was made a bit easier as she cleaned both her prone and standing shooting stages.
Italy’s Lisa Vittozzi placed second 11.5 seconds behind Kuzmina. Vittozzi also shot clean. In third place was Sweden’s clean shooting HannahÖberg. She finished 29.1 seconds back.
Susan Dunklee for the U.S. placed 20th overall, 1:11.3 minutes behind with a single penalty. Teammate Clare Egan, placed 35th (+1.44.6, 2+0). Also for the U.S., Joanne Reid finished two places back in 37th (+1:45.2, 1+0).
Rosanna Crawford was the top Canadian in 27th. She skied a single penalty loop to cross the finish line 1:32.3 minutes behind. Megan Bankes placed 68th (+2:32.7, 1+1), Emma Lunder 88th (+3:17.9, 3+2), and Sarah Beaudry 96th (+3:40.3, 1+3).
