Biathlon: Sean Benson competes in his first World Championships
Johannes Thingnes Boe ‘s historic victory in the sprint at the World Biathlon Championships in Lenzerheide (Switzerland) will make headlines not only in Norway, but also in countries where the Nordic discipline has a strong following. This gold medal is symbolic, as the Scandinavian recently announced that he would soon be calling time on his career.
In France, the focus will be on Quentin Fillon-Maillet‘s bronze medal, the day after Justine Braisaz-Bouchet‘s gold. The surprise Campbell Wright will also be in the news.
Another biathlete gave his all, but didn’t make the headlines. His name is Sean Benson. In his first individual race under the sun, he took almost seven minutes longer (6:55.7 to be precise) than the winner. He hit all his targets on the dismount, but made two mistakes on the standing.
Sean Benson came 98th. The Briton is therefore in last place. Red lantern.
Number 86, he nevertheless smiled for the camera as he gave a thumbs-up to his right hand shortly after crossing the finish line. He then took off his shoes and left. In the mixed zone, the journalists didn’t ask him any questions.
Last year, he was not in Nove Mesto. Lenzerheide will be his first World Championships. He did, however, compete in the Junior World Championships in Otepää, Estonia. He finished in 73ᵉ place on the same format.
Since the start of the winter, the twenty-two-year-old biathlete has mainly competed in the Junior Cup. Last December, in Val Ridanna, Italy, he took the start in the sprints and the individual, with respective placings of 73ᵉ, 75ᵉ and 97ᵉ places.
In Graubünden, Sean Benson was already on the start list for the mixed relay alongside team-mates Shawna Pendry, Chloe Dupont and Matthew Chronicle. The British team was beaten.
Aside from biathlon, the young man is passionate about mountain biking and enjoys life on the west coast of Great Britain, particularly in Whistler, where he trains with the National Development Centre.
