Biathlon : Norway get off to a flying start in Finland
Beaten by the untouchable French on Sunday in the men’s relay at the Biathlon World Cup in Kontiolahti (Finland), the Norwegians saw their run of twelve straight victories in this event come to an end. And it seems that the Scandinavians were out for revenge on Tuesday.
With a solid hat-trick of victories in the individual short event, the first individual race of the season, Drôme coach Siegfried Mazet ‘s men gave their opponents no chance whatsoever. Endre Stroemsheim was a brilliant winner, impressing in front of the targets with one of the few 20/20 scores of the evening.
“I didn’t really believe it when I woke up”Endre Stroemsheim on TV2
A perfect shot enabled him to win and raise his arms for the second time in his career in an individual competition on the international circuit. The first time was in the pursuit in Oberhof (Germany) on 6 January 2024. A little less than a year later, the 27-year-old biathlete wasn’t really looking forward to his second success so soon. “I didn’t really believe it when I woke up, he told TV2 in the mixed zone. This result is a wonderful surprise. It’s just fantastic and it’s my best race ever ! “
And yet, despite his faultless run on the mats, Endre Stromsheim still had to ski hard to secure victory. Johannes Thingnes Boe, 19/20, crossed the finish line just three seconds behind his compatriot.
The outgoing winner of the overall World Cup classification will therefore relinquish his yellow tunic to his team-mate, who will be taking it for the very first time in his career. It’s a situation that the defending champion joked about after the race: ” There’s a friendly atmosphere in front of the camera, but it’s going to be a battle tonight. Endre won’t be able to sleep safely tonight”, he joked.
But that’s not all. The Norwegians could have been content with this double. But that was without counting on Sturla Holm Lægreid, who also posted a superb 20/20 behind the rifle and finished third in this individual short. The first day of individual events was therefore a good one for the Scandinavians, who proved that they are looking forward to repeating the good old habits of past winters.
Read also
- Kontiolahti: for the first time in his career, Endre Stroemsheim will don the yellow World Cup leader’s bib
- Kontiolahti: Endre Stroemsheim, at 20/20, beats Johannes Thingnes Boe in the individual short, Quentin Fillon-Maillet and Eric Perrot with the flowers
