Next medal: Vittozzi and Giacomel simply amazing

Italy's national biathlon team can celebrate again in Nove Mesto: Lisa Vittozzi and Tommaso Giacomel provided a real shining moment at the World Championships.

15. February 2024

From: fop

The azure duo finished silver in the single mixed relay. Only the outstanding French team was better in the fog of Nove Mesto. Third place went to the Norwegians, who were kept in check by Vittozzi in the final sprint.

At first it didn't look like Italy's team would win their third World Cup medal in this discipline and their third precious metal in the Czech Republic within five days. Giacomel had to reload twice in his first two shooting sessions and only finished in 14th position behind Bulgaria and Korea. But then the fantastic race to catch up began. With the exception of one attempt by Vittozzi after the last change, the biathlete from the Primierotal (Trentino) and the biathlete from Sappada (Friuli) did not put a shot off target and made up position after position.

Giacomel, who was given preference over Lukas Hofer, sent Vittozzi into the final two laps in third place. In the last shooting, she took advantage of a penalty loop from Norway's exceptional Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold, passed her and also fended off her final attack. After that, Italy could no longer take silver.

Vittozzi is closing in on Wierer's medal record

For the 29-year-old Vittozzi, this is the eleventh World Cup medal of her career, bringing her closer to Italy's record holder Dorothea Wierer (twelve). Giacomel, on the other hand, is celebrating his third medal in major title fights, all of which he won in the mixed or single-mixed relay.

France's biathletes were once again a real force this Thursday. Quentin Fillon Maillet and Lou Jeanmonnot only had to reload three times, more rarely than any other team, and they were once again strong on the cross-country ski trail. Jeanmonnot crossed the finish line 24,6 seconds ahead of Vittozzi and thus lifted France back into first place in the World Cup medal table with the fourth gold medal.

On Friday the biathletes will have their last day of rest in Nove Mesto, and the World Championships will continue on Saturday with the two relay races.