Biathlon: the perfect shot and victory for Hannah Auchentaller
While Dorothea Wierer and the men’s Italian biathlon team will be back in action this Saturday in Sjusjøen (Norway) at the highly competitive Norwegian pre-season selection races, the majority of the Italians were lining up for their country’s selection races in Martell-Val Martello (Italy).
The ladies were the first to set off in the morning and put up a good fight. Hannah Auchentaller was unstoppable against the targets, with an excellent 10/10, and made her mark on the local snowfarm. Also in good form on skis, the 23-year-old biathlete, who is already guaranteed to start the winter in the World Cup, beat her compatriot Martina Trabucchi by just 11 seconds.
The 22-year-old also shot a faultless round behind the rifle, giving her a good chance of securing her ticket to launch her IBU Cup season. Behind her, Rebecca Passler (9/10) completed the top 3 in this first competition of the weekend.
Christoph Pircher springs a surprise in the men’s race
A few minutes after the women’s race, the men took to the track at Martell-Val Martello. And in the absence of the national team’s stars, the competition could have left room for a few surprises in this sprint. And it was a young 21-year-old biathlete who seized his chance.
Christoph Pircher was at fault just once on the shooting range, but then used his power on the boards to claim victory. In fact, the Italian wasn’t really worried as his first rival, David Zingerle, crossed the line 42 seconds behind him after letting three balls escape. Jacopo Leonesio (9/10) took third place.
Full results
Womens
Mens
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