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20.01.2024 - First podium for Italy in Antholz
The biathlon Saturday in the Antholzertal valley came to a close with the spectacular Mixed Relay Race.
The top favourites Norway came out on top ahead of hosts Italy and Sweden in front of over 20,000 spectators in the Südtirol Arena.
What a fantastic biathlon day in Antholz! After the German victory in the single mixed relay, Norway, as expected, came out on top in the traditional 4x6 km mixed relay. Juni Arnekleiv, Karoline Knotten and the Bø brothers Tarjei and Johannes Thingnes impressed with their fantastic performance and proved once again that they are practically unbeatable as a quartet. In the end, the overall World Cup leader Bø crossed the finish line with a lead of 22.3 seconds, securing Norway another gold medal.
Sheer suspense until the very last shot
Nevertheless, Bø and Co. had to fight for victory until the final shooting stage. This was due to the outstanding Italian relay team. Dorothea Wierer, Lisa Vittozzi, Didier Bionaz and anchor leg Tommaso Giacomel held their own against the top favourites for a considerable time and were even in the lead until Giacomel replaced Bionaz. In the head-to-head duel against Bø, the "Azzurro" was forced to concede, but defended second place with confidence.
It was thanks to this feat (only five reloads in total) that the first Italian podium finish of this World Cup weekend in Antholz became a reality. Sweden rounded off the podium, beating Switzerland in the final round. 5th place went to France.
Victory for Germany in the single mixed relay, 1st and 2nd place for Norway and Italy in the mixed relay: these results ensured a fantastic atmosphere at the Antholz Biathlon Centre on the penultimate day of competition. Tomorrow, Sunday, the World Cup will conclude with the men's (12:30 pm) and women's (2:45 pm) mass starts.
Biathlon World Cup Antholz
4x6 km Mixed Relay
1. Norway (Juni Arnekleiv, Karoline Knotten, Tarjei Bø, Johannes Thingnes Bø) 1:04:36.3 (0+8 misses).
2. Italy (Dorothea Wierer, Lisa Vittozzi, Didier Bionaz, Tommaso Giacomel) +22.3 (0+5)
3. Sweden (Anna Magnusson, Elvira Öberg, Jesper Nelin, Martin Ponsiluoma) +1:07.8 (0+9)
4. Switzerland (Amy Baserga, Lena Häcki-Gross, Joscha Burkhalter, Sebastian Stadler) + 1:20.6 (0+8)
5. France (Lou Jeanmonnot, Jeanne Richard, Eric Perrot, Quentin Fillon Maillet) + 1:33.5 (0+6)
6. Czech Republic (Tereza Vobornikova, Marketa Davidova, Jonas Marecek, Tomas Mikyska) + 2:16.6 (1+10)
7. Austria (Tamara Steiner, Anna Juppe, Felix Leitner, David Komatz) + 2:42.7 (0+4)
8. Germany (Janina Hettich-Walz, Sophia Schneider, Johannes Kühn, Benedikt Doll) + 3:04.6 (2+12)
9. Ukraine (Anastasiya Merkushyna, Yuliia Dzhima, Denys Naysko, Dmytro Pidruchnyi) + 3:19.7 (0+12)
10. Bulgaria (Lora Hristov, Valentina Dimitrova, Vladimir Iliev, Blagoy Todev) + 4:03.3 (0+4)
Sheer suspense until the very last shot
Nevertheless, Bø and Co. had to fight for victory until the final shooting stage. This was due to the outstanding Italian relay team. Dorothea Wierer, Lisa Vittozzi, Didier Bionaz and anchor leg Tommaso Giacomel held their own against the top favourites for a considerable time and were even in the lead until Giacomel replaced Bionaz. In the head-to-head duel against Bø, the "Azzurro" was forced to concede, but defended second place with confidence.
It was thanks to this feat (only five reloads in total) that the first Italian podium finish of this World Cup weekend in Antholz became a reality. Sweden rounded off the podium, beating Switzerland in the final round. 5th place went to France.
Victory for Germany in the single mixed relay, 1st and 2nd place for Norway and Italy in the mixed relay: these results ensured a fantastic atmosphere at the Antholz Biathlon Centre on the penultimate day of competition. Tomorrow, Sunday, the World Cup will conclude with the men's (12:30 pm) and women's (2:45 pm) mass starts.
Biathlon World Cup Antholz
4x6 km Mixed Relay
1. Norway (Juni Arnekleiv, Karoline Knotten, Tarjei Bø, Johannes Thingnes Bø) 1:04:36.3 (0+8 misses).
2. Italy (Dorothea Wierer, Lisa Vittozzi, Didier Bionaz, Tommaso Giacomel) +22.3 (0+5)
3. Sweden (Anna Magnusson, Elvira Öberg, Jesper Nelin, Martin Ponsiluoma) +1:07.8 (0+9)
4. Switzerland (Amy Baserga, Lena Häcki-Gross, Joscha Burkhalter, Sebastian Stadler) + 1:20.6 (0+8)
5. France (Lou Jeanmonnot, Jeanne Richard, Eric Perrot, Quentin Fillon Maillet) + 1:33.5 (0+6)
6. Czech Republic (Tereza Vobornikova, Marketa Davidova, Jonas Marecek, Tomas Mikyska) + 2:16.6 (1+10)
7. Austria (Tamara Steiner, Anna Juppe, Felix Leitner, David Komatz) + 2:42.7 (0+4)
8. Germany (Janina Hettich-Walz, Sophia Schneider, Johannes Kühn, Benedikt Doll) + 3:04.6 (2+12)
9. Ukraine (Anastasiya Merkushyna, Yuliia Dzhima, Denys Naysko, Dmytro Pidruchnyi) + 3:19.7 (0+12)
10. Bulgaria (Lora Hristov, Valentina Dimitrova, Vladimir Iliev, Blagoy Todev) + 4:03.3 (0+4)
