e Biathlon

Patrick Braunhofer secured the European title with an outstanding performance. © Josef Plaickner

European champion! Braunhofer writes history in Martell

Patrick Braunhofer came, saw and conquered! With a phenomenal performance – be it on the skis or at the shooting range – the 26-year-old from Ridnaun won the pursuit competition at the Open Biathlon European Championships in Martell on Saturday and won the first European Championship gold for Italy.

The penultimate day of competition at the Open Biathlon European Championships at the Grogg Biathlon Centre in Martell could not have ended better from a South Tyrolean perspective. Patrick Braunhofer was crowned champion just a few hours after Linda Zingerle won bronze. (see own article) a ski hunter from the northernmost province of Italy became the new champion in the pursuit. "Brauni" started the race 35 seconds behind sprint winner Sivert Guttorm Bakken - but caught up lap after lap with a strong cross-country performance and flawless performance on the shooting range.


After the first shooting, the Norwegians Isak Frey and Vetle Sjaastad Christiansen were in the lead, while Braunhofer had already gained seven positions to ninth place. After the second shooting test, Christiansen had to go into the penalty loop and Braunhofer improved further to second place behind Frey.


When the leader and Sverre Dahlen Aspenes, who had meanwhile moved up to second place on the third loop, made another mistake at the shooting range, the South Tyrolean seized the opportunity. Braunhofer took the lead, defended it confidently in the last standing position and shortly afterwards crossed the finish line first after 34.27,2 minutes, to the delight of hundreds of fans and in front of the eyes of Governor Arno Kompatscher and his deputy Rosmarie Pamer, as well as IBU board member Nathalie Santer.

“Brauni” overtakes his father

"What can I say, I'm at a loss for words. I was finally able to show my biathlon here in Martell and today (on Saturday, editor's note) everything went perfectly. I knew that if the shooting was right, I could finish well in the lead. During the last shooting, I heard the fans after every hit, that was hard. I'm particularly pleased that I've now overtaken my father, who won a medal at the Junior European Championships," beamed the newly crowned European champion at the finish, who also won the first European Championship gold for Italy.

The men's podium with (from left) Isak Frey, Patrick Braunhofer and Sverre Dahlen Aspenes © Josef Plaickner


Silver went to Isak Frey, who triumphed in the individual competition on Wednesday. The bronze medal also went to a Norwegian biathlete, Sverre Dahlen Aspenes. Two other strong results from Italian ski hunters were somewhat overshadowed by the hustle and bustle surrounding Braunhofer. Iacopo Leonesio, who also hit all the targets in the third competition in Martell, came fifth, while Nicola Romanin finished the pursuit in seventh place. Nicolò Betemps came in 24th, while Christoph Pircher from Terlan (49th) did not score any more points.

The Open Biathlon European Championships in Martell will end on Sunday with the relays. The women's ski hunters will be in action at the Grogg biathlon center from 10.45:13.45 a.m., while the men's relay will start at XNUMX:XNUMX p.m.

Men's Pursuit (12,5 km):

1. Patrick Braunhofer (ITA/Ridnaun) 34.27,2 minutes/0 shooting errors
2. Isak Frey (NOR) +22,7/2
3. Sverre Dahlen Aspenes (NOR) +37,5/4
4. Sivert Guttorm Bakken (NOR) +46,3/3
5. Iacopo Leonesio (ITA) +1.14,3/0

The further program in Martell:

Sunday, 2th of February 2025
10.45:13.45 am: Women's relay; XNUMX:XNUMX pm: Men's relay

Comments (0)

Confirm the activation link in our email to verify your account and write comments. Resend activation link
Complete your profile information to write comments.
Edit Profile

You have to sign into use the comment function.

© 2025 First Avenue GmbH