19.01.2023 - Who can stop the Norwegian trio?
On the second day of the Biathlon World Cup in Antholz, Friday’s schedule boasts the men's 10 km sprint competition.
The hunt for podium positions begins at 2:30 pm at the Südtirol Arena and promises to be a thriller.
Once again, the athletes from Norway are the heavy favourites. With 959 points, the overall World Cup leader Johannes Thingnes Bø is well ahead of his teammates Sturla Holm Laegreid (785) and Vetle Sjaastad Christiansen (503). Five-time Olympic champion Bø is in top form, dominating this year's biathlon season to the fullest and standing on the podium in all races so far (except for the individual opening race in Kontiolahti). The Norwegian superstar has already reached the podium 14 times this year, achieving the top spot an incredible 12 times! With 12 and 7 podium finishes respectively, Laegreid and Christiansen were at least able to somewhat keep pace. In other words, the three Norwegians are in a league of their own. Last year's overall World Cup winner Quentin Fillon Maillet from France as well as Germany's Benedikt Doll and Tarjei Bø will also challenge for a top place. Johannes Dale and Emilien Jacquelin must also be reckoned with.
South Tyrolean biathlon fans, on the other hand, are pinning their hopes on Patrick Braunhofer, who is the only local athlete competing in Antholz. The 24-year-old from Ridnaun arrives after a fifth place result in the relay in Ruhpolding, his best personal result was 24th place in the individual in Kontiolahti. The other "Azzurri" who will compete in their home World Cup in Antholz are the young high-flyer Tommaso Giacomel (already four top 6 finishes this year) in addition to Didier Bionaz, Elia Zeni and Daniele Fauner.
Once again, the athletes from Norway are the heavy favourites. With 959 points, the overall World Cup leader Johannes Thingnes Bø is well ahead of his teammates Sturla Holm Laegreid (785) and Vetle Sjaastad Christiansen (503). Five-time Olympic champion Bø is in top form, dominating this year's biathlon season to the fullest and standing on the podium in all races so far (except for the individual opening race in Kontiolahti). The Norwegian superstar has already reached the podium 14 times this year, achieving the top spot an incredible 12 times! With 12 and 7 podium finishes respectively, Laegreid and Christiansen were at least able to somewhat keep pace. In other words, the three Norwegians are in a league of their own. Last year's overall World Cup winner Quentin Fillon Maillet from France as well as Germany's Benedikt Doll and Tarjei Bø will also challenge for a top place. Johannes Dale and Emilien Jacquelin must also be reckoned with.
South Tyrolean biathlon fans, on the other hand, are pinning their hopes on Patrick Braunhofer, who is the only local athlete competing in Antholz. The 24-year-old from Ridnaun arrives after a fifth place result in the relay in Ruhpolding, his best personal result was 24th place in the individual in Kontiolahti. The other "Azzurri" who will compete in their home World Cup in Antholz are the young high-flyer Tommaso Giacomel (already four top 6 finishes this year) in addition to Didier Bionaz, Elia Zeni and Daniele Fauner.
