The final shooting: Italy's mixed relay falls off the podium

That was almost dramatic: Italy's mixed relay team was on course for a podium finish at the Biathlon World Cup in Oslo for a long time. But then Tommaso Giacomel became a tragic hero.

March 03, 2024

From: dl

Italy's mixed relay team showed an outstanding race for a long time at the end of the stage on Holmenkollen. Hannah Auchentaller, Lukas Hofer, Lisa Vittozzi and Tommaso Giacomel were in second place before the last shooting. But then the final runner from Trentino had to go into the penalty loop twice. On the final lap, Giacomel had to let the Swede Martin Ponsiluoma and the Norwegian Johannes Thingnes Bø pass. In the end, Italy ended up in fourth place.

Starting runner Auchentaller confirmed her strong form. The woman from Antholz had an outstanding World Cup weekend in Oslo. On Sunday, Auchentaller only had to reload once and handed over to Vittozzi in fifth place. The Italian led the mixed relay in third place. Then Hofer came. The Pusterer showed a very strong race and handed over to Giacomel in second place. The Trentino native found difficult conditions at the last shooting. Giacomel had two penalties and went into the final lap at the same time as Bø and Ponsiluoma.

France triumphs in the mixed relay. © APA/afp / JAVAD PARSA

There Giacomel ran out of strength, perhaps because he had two more penalties in his legs. In the end, Italy had to settle for fourth place. It will annoy the ambitious Giacomel the most. Incidentally, the outstanding French team (Simon, Chauveau, Claude and Fillon Maillet) won ahead of Sweden and Norway.

World Cup moves overseas

The Biathlon World Cup is now moving overseas. The stage in Soldier Hollow (USA) takes place from Friday to Sunday. A week later, the World Cup final will take place in Canmore, Canada.