Tommaso Giacomel celebrates his World Cup medal. © APA/afp / FRANCK FIFE

Precious metal: Giacomel redeems himself and the Azzurri!

Tommaso Giacomel won the first Italian medal at the Biathlon World Championships in Lenzerheide.

19. February 2025

From: dl

In the seventh World Championship competition, Italy's biathlon team can breathe a sigh of relief for the first time. Tommaso Giacomel won the silver medal in the individual event on Thursday. The Trentino athlete only missed the 19th of a total of 20 shots. Otherwise, it would have been enough for gold. For Giacomel, it is the first medal he has won at a World Championship in an individual race.

The 24-year-old has once again underlined his top form. In the last six races, Giacomel has always finished in the top 5 - that speaks for his consistency. Giacomel only messed up in the mixed relay at the World Championships. For "Tommy" it is - alongside his first World Cup victory in January in Ruhpolding - the greatest success of his still young career.

Eric Perrot from France won gold. © APA/afp / FRANCK FIFE

Only Eric Perrot was better than Giacomel, who also had a penalty minute and finished with a lead of over 50 seconds. This is the 23-year-old Frenchman's first world championship title. Perrot, who had the fastest time, is a great promise and could become a great biathlon star in the future.

Swiss bad luck streak continues

Third place went to his compatriot Quentin Fillon Maillet, who knocked the Swiss Niklas Hartweg off the podium. In the end, Hartweg even finished in fifth place. The Swiss will have to wait a while longer for their first medal at a World Championship. Lena Häcki-Gross had also come close twice in the women's event in the last few days. In contrast to the Norwegians, for example, the French also had top material on this Thursday.

Tommaso Giacomel let his emotions run free. © ANSA / GIAN EHRENZELLER

Lukas Hofer had a completely botched competition. The only South Tyrolean missed his target seven times at the shooting range and had to settle for 68th place. The World Championships in Lenzerheide continue on Thursday (16.05:XNUMX p.m.) with the single mixed relay. Then Giacomel will go on the hunt for medals with Dorothea Wierer. The South Tyrolean caused a stir at the World Championships on Wednesday. caused a stir with a press conference.