Biathlon: the Norwegian clan praises Campbell Wright
Campbell Wright still hasn’t come down from his little cloud. After winning silver in the sprint at the biathlon world championships in Lenzerheide (Switzerland) on Saturday, the American surprised everyone again on Sunday by managing to hold on to second place in the pursuit.
With an impeccable 19/20 behind the rifle, the biathlete of New Zealand origin competed eye-to-eye with the very best. Even to the point of giving himself a crazy last lap against Johannes Thingnes Boe. Although he seemed exhausted before the final salvo of the day, the American found the resources deep within himself to surpass himself.
He came away with a 5/5 from this last shot, and his main aim was to keep his place in the box. But the 22-year-old did even better than that. At each of the intermediates on the Swiss course, he clawed back second after second from the Norwegian ogre.
Even though he was logically short in the final, Campbell Wright impressed the Scandinavian clan, who called him “the man of the day” in the words of Torgeir Bjoern, consultant for NRK. ” He came dangerously close to Johannes on the final lap”, added the former cross-country skier.
Beaten by the American folklorist in Sunday’s race, the Norwegian athletes were themselves full of admiration: “He’s the revelation of this year’s World Cup. He’s very impressive,” admitted Endre Stroemsheim, eighth at the finish. “He’s a cool guy who wore both a hockey wig and a moustache. Now all he’s got left is the wig,” laughed Sturla Holm Lægreid.
“He’s a rockstarVebjoern Soerum at NRK
A distant twenty-fifth, Vebjoern Soerum was quick to salute a “friend he’s known for many years”. “He’s younger than me but he’s a tough nut to crack. He likes to be in a position to win and fight for medals,” he added. He’s himself and he’s a rock star. He’s always in a good mood and nice to everyone.”
Read also
- Lenzerheide: Johannes Thingnes Boe pursuit world champion ahead of the astonishing Campbell Wright, Eric Perrot in bronze
- “I feel really lucky”: at 22, Campbell Wright entered the big leagues by winning silver in the sprint at the World Championships.
