Biathlon: the Norwegians respond at the best of times in the relay
Vetle Sjaastad Christiansen ‘s wishes were clearly fulfilled this Saturday in the men’s relay at the Biathlon World Championships in Lenzerheide (Switzerland). Just a few days ago, the Norwegian and substitute in this 2025 edition, confided that he hoped his country would “crush France” in this team competition.
In the canton of Graubünden, the Scandinavians simply dominated the day’s competition. Although Endre Stroemsheim sent a shiver down the spine of the reds with his first run, the rest of the race went perfectly for Siegfried Mazet‘s men.
Ever faster on skis, Tarjei Boe, Sturla Holm Lægreid and Johannes Thingnes Boe did what was needed on the boards and, above all, behind the rifle to score their first victory of the season in this format. Indeed, since the start of the winter, they had never been able to topple the French team, winners of all four World Cup relays so far.
The Norwegians have also been chasing a World Championship title since 2021, when they were crowned champions in Pokljuka (Slovenia). In the canton of Graubünden, the Scandinavian team went into the race with its teeth firmly in its mouth: “We really wanted this gold medal. We achieved everything today”, Tarjei Boe told TV2 after his last relay in this competition before the end of his career.
“We’ve been dreaming of this for a long time”, continued his team-mate Sturla Holm Lægreid, who was eagerly awaited on this occasion after disappointing performances in Oberhof (Germany) in 2023 and Nove Mesto (Czech Republic) in 2024. This time, the world number one put on a show with a perfect 10/10.
The Boe brothers have won,” enthused Johannes Thingnes Boe, after enjoying the last lap for a long time. I set off in the best possible conditions. I hadn’t imagined it like that at all. Endre went on the offensive and that got Tarjei into the rhythm. It was a great day.
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