Biathlon: a funny shooting situation for Johan-Olav Botn
Johan-Olav Botn (17/20), who set the fastest time in the mass start of the Norwegian biathlon opening races in Sjusjøen (Norway), finished the event in third place. A result that could well open the doors to the World Cup on 30 November in Kontiolahti (Finland).
Still in with a chance of victory going into the final shot of the day, the Norwegian suffered an unusual misfortune during his passage through the targets. The young Scandinavian’s dreams of success were dashed when he fumbled twice on this round, while his compatriots Endre Stroemsheim (19/20) and Vetle Sjaastad Christiansen (19/20) only dropped one bullet.
The 25-year-old biathlete explained his double fault by the fact that Ola Lunde, a consultant for Norwegian television, had caused him some external discomfort. I was in my bubble for the first two thirds and suddenly, because of the wind, I heard Ola Lunde speak quite loudly,” he tells NRK. I was completely stunned. Then I completely lost my aim.
The former Norwegian national team coach was quick to confirm this anecdote. After exchanging views in the mixed zone, the two men did not, however, lose their tempers over the incident, which had no bearing on the final result: “It’s a very poor excuse to explain my missed shot, but that’s really what happened,” added Johan-Olav Botn.
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