Biathlon: Maren Kirkeeide leads the Norwegian women’s team at just 21 years of age
In silver the day before in the women’s relay, where she had already put in a performance on a par with the best, Maren Kirkeeide rounded off her time at the biathlon world championships in Lenzerheide (Switzerland) in the best possible way. In the mass start on Sunday, the Norwegian proved that she already has all the makings of a great woman.
While some athletes seemed to be suffering physically over the last few races in the canton of Grisons, the 21-year-old biathlete seemed to grow in strength as the days went by. She finished third in the ski race behind the untouchable Justine Braisaz-Bouchet and Anamarija Lampic, but nevertheless came up against a supercharged Océane Michelon.
Neck and neck for the silver medal in the final lap despite three faults each, the two young women made mince meat of each other on the final climb of the Swiss course. And even though she saw the Frenchwoman get the better of her to overtake her in the final, the Scandinavian was more than content with a superb bronze medal.
“It’s crazy to be on the podium Maren Kirkeeide on TV2
Her first career victory came in her first appearance at the senior world championships. “I’ve never had so much acid in my body [laughs]! I was extremely tired in the last lap,” she admitted to TV2. I felt fine but the conditions were very difficult. It’s amazing to be on the podium today.
In the finish area, her team-mate Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold, twentieth to finish this event on a low, didn’t fail to hug her for a long time. “I threw myself at her! When she went past me, I shed a few tears,” she confides. She’s so strong and it’s absolutely fantastic that she’s got this bronze.
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