Biathlon : a historic victory for Greenland’s Sondre Slettemark
On Saturday, while the eyes of the biathlon world were focused on Ruhpolding (Germany) where Johannes Thingnes Boe announced his forthcoming retirement, a historic performance was achieved in Jakuszyce (Poland).
In the men’s mass-start 60 on the third stage of the 2024/2025 Junior Cup, 20-year-old Sondre Slettemark was the winner. Although his older sister Ukaleq Slettemark became the world youth champion in the individual event in 2019, no Greenland biathlete had yet won the Junior Cup.
The native of Nuuk (Greenland ) was understandably proud when he commented on his achievement for Nordic Magazine.
“It was an extraordinary race. I’m so happy to have been able to improve my shot after the sprint [he finished eighth at 6/10, editor’s note]. To do it like that and win is really a dream come true,” he said later that evening. I’m very happy to finally be able to put the Greenland flag on the highest step of the podium and to win the first junior race for my country. Winning here is something I’ll remember for a long time. Greenland is number 1!
A crazy last lap to win it
Sondre Slettemark, who scored 18/20 against the targets and was in great form on the track, nevertheless came out of the final shoot almost 10 seconds behind Germany’s Linus Kesper. “I knew I was faster than him, so I gave it my all to overtake him. It was incredible to cross the finish line alone,” he recalls.
Competing this Sunday in the second sprint of the week in Jakuszyce, the Greenlander will take part next week in the European junior championships in Altenberg (Germany). After that, he will line up for theIBU Cup in Ridnaun-Val Ridanna (Italy) scheduled for early February.
- Jakuszyce Junior Cup: Greenland’s Sondre Slettemark triumphs in the mass-start 60 event
- “I really don’t know how I managed to do that…”. when Greenland’s Sondre Slettemark, number 1 in the Hochfilzen sprint, fell on mondovision
