Biathlon: Switzerland four times close to a medal
“In Lenzerheide, the sun shines brighter than the Swiss medals”, was the headline in Le Temps on February 18. A week later, our colleagues have certainly not changed their minds, especially after Saturday’s women’s relay where the Swiss-Ski representatives finished 14th, behind Belgium. ” The Swiss women’s relay was a long way from where it should be,” lamented RTS (quoting a report from the ATS news agency). According to RTS, “Swiss hopes were dashed as soon as the first female relay runner, Elisa Gasparin, took to the shooting range for the second time. The woman from Grisons had to take a penalty lap after her standing shot, and as a result found herself relegated to 19th place”. The last competitor, Lena Haecki-Gross, then broke down in the horizontal event. She had to go through the penalty ring four times before crossing the finish line 4.42 seconds behind France, the winner. ” A few mistakes that can’t be made up for and the Swiss drink the cup,” summed up a slightly dejected Bluewin.
However, on four occasions since the start of the World Championships, the Swiss biathletes have narrowly missed out on the podium. This was again the case in the mixed singles relay, where Niklas Hartweg and Amy Baserga finished just over four seconds short of a bronze medal.
Once again, our neighbours were hoping for better. In fact, before the race, the Südostschweiz newspaper in Graubünden had high hopes for “the Schwyzer dream duo”. On paper, coach Sandra Flunger couldn’t have made a better choice. The two biathletes, who have known each other since childhood, had already stood on the podium in this World Cup format in Pokljuka in January 2023. It was a first for the Swiss, and one that could only be repeated.
Last Friday and Sunday, it was Lena Haecki-Gross who twice failed to bring the Swiss Confederation its first world medal in biathlon.
Niklas Hartweg must also regret making a mistake on his last individual shot, which blocked his path to the podium. ” A fatal error”, according to La Liberté.
Switzerland has three races left to ensure it doesn’t leave Lenzerheide with empty pockets. Starting with the men’s relay. The 21-year-old James Pacal from Fribourg is replacing Jérémy Finello, who is ill. He will race alongside Niklas Hartweg, Sebastian Stalder and Joscha Burkhalter.
