Biathlon: Sweden fifth in mixed singles relay
On Thursday, the Swedish media were not kind to the pair competing in the mixed singles relay at the World Championships in Lenzerheide (Switzerland).
Sebastian Samuelsson and Ella Halvarsson finished fifth, “ the worst ranking in this format at a world championships”, according to Expressen. Naturally, the kingdom expected better from its representatives, who had won earlier in the winter. On November 30, they beat France and Germany in Kontiolahti (Finland).
Before the final pass in front of the targets, Sebastian Samuelsson and Ella Halvarsson could still claim a place on the podium. But the former made two mistakes while battling for third place with Johannes Thingnes Boe, and was then overtaken by Switzerland’s Niklas Hartweg. “It’ s clearly a bit disappointing,” commented shooting coach Jean-Marc Chabloz on SVT (quoted by the Sweden Herald).
“ The farriers are doing everything they can, but I don’t think my skis were as good as those of the other nations”, lamented the second-placed skier who, it’s true, completed her first relay 11.5 seconds faster than the Norwegian, then the second 11.9 seconds faster than the Finn.
Sebastian Samuelsson is of the same opinion (although the day before, he had rockets on his feet). Until the medal slipped away, he said that he had given it his all. Particularly in the final round. Referring to Johannes Thingnes Boe, he told Aftonbladet: “He was a few seconds too far ahead. I did everything I could to catch him, but I didn’t succeed. He was incredibly sure of himself.
The Swede is now looking ahead to Saturday’s relay. “We’re the reigning world champions and we’re going to do everything in our power to make sure it goes as well as possible. Nobody thinks we’re going to win gold, and nobody thought that last year either. We’ll see how it goes.
