The biathletes are off to a disappointing start at the World Cup

It was not the start that Dorothea Wierer, Karin Oberhofer, Lukas Hofer and Dominik Windisch had expected in the title fights at Holmenkollen. Wierer got off to a promising start and maintained contact with the leaders with just one spare round. After that, however, the Italian team ran into difficulties - especially at the shooting range. Oberhofer, who took over in fifth place, had to reload a total of six times, after which Hofer missed five shots. The medal ranks became increasingly out of reach. Windisch, as the last runner, could only do damage limitation. He initially also needed three spare rounds, but then made no mistakes in the last shooting and led his team into the top ten. In the end, the Azzurri finished eighth, almost two minutes behind and with a total of 15 spares.

"Today was my most difficult race of the season. The conditions weren't easy, I just couldn't get going. The only place I felt safe was at the shooting range. We can all certainly do better," was Dorothea Wierer's short conclusion after reaching the finish.

Martin Fourcade leaves everyone behind

Meanwhile, a thrilling battle for the medals developed at the front of the field. France, Germany, Norway and Ukraine came to the final shooting at the same time. In the final meters, Martin Fourcade left his long-term German rival Simon Schempp behind and led France to their opening victory. The Norwegian Johannes Thingnes Boe crossed the finish line in third place.

The first rest day follows on Friday in Oslo, before the World Championship program continues on Saturday with the men's and women's sprint races.

World Championships in Oslo (NOR) - Mixed relay result:

1. France 1:14.01,0 hours (0 penalties + 8 spares) Bescond, Dorin Habert, Fillon Maillet, Martin Fourcade 2. Germany +4,3 seconds (0+7) Preuss, Hildebrand, Peiffer, Schempp 3. Norway +14,4 (0+10) Olsbu, Eckhoff, Johannes Thingnes Bø, Tarjei Bø 4. Ukraine +29,8 (0+9) 5. Austria +1.07,1 (0+3) 6. Czech Republic +1.23,3 (0+5) 7. Russia +1.32,3 (1+8) 8. Italy +1.55,4 (0+15) Wierer, Oberhofer, Hofer, Windisch 9. Belarus +2.09,1 (0+1) 10. USA +2.19,6 (0+5)

SportNews / Alexander Foppa

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The biathletes are off to a disappointing start at the World Cup

The start of the World Championships in Oslo was anything but as desired for Dorothea Wierer & Co. The Azzurri finished eighth in the mixed relay. The biathletes from France won their first gold medal in a thrilling finish.

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