Johannes Thingnes Bø was unbeatable. © APA/afp / KERSTIN JOENSSON

With a little delay: The biathlon king is back

The first day of racing in Hochfilzen (North Tyrol) was rounded off with the men's sprint. The biathlon king made an impressive comeback.

13 December 2024

From: det

What actually goes against all mathematics has been the case so far this biathlon season: Johannes Thingnes Bø has not celebrated a victory in the first three races. In Kontiolahti he was second once, otherwise the best biathlete in the world always ended up off the podium. But now this series has come to an end: In the fourth competition of the season, the sprint in Hochfilzen, Bø was able to climb onto the top step of the podium again. "Now the season is really getting started," the 31-year-old launched a challenge to the competition.

The Norwegian superstar has thus celebrated his 86th World Cup victory. Although he made a mistake in Hochfilzen, he skied like he was on rails and so sped to first place. Four seconds behind Bø, his compatriot Sturla Holm Lægreid crossed the finish line, and Frenchman Fabien Claude (+1 seconds) came in third, somewhat surprisingly. He thus broke through the Norwegian phalanx, as there are also super-elks in fourth (Endre Strømsheim) and fifth (Vebjørn Sørum).

Best result of the season for Luki Hofer

There was no place for Italy in the absolute top group on Friday. The best Azzurro was Tommaso Giacomel from Trentino, who finished the race in 11th place. This shows that the Nonsberg native was strong on skis, as he made two mistakes at the shooting range.

Lukas Hofer, biathlete from Montal. © Pierre TEYSSOT / Pierre TEYSSOT

Lukas Hofer from Montal was able to celebrate his best result of the season with 16th place (one shooting error), and "Luki" will also be able to attack in the pursuit on Saturday (14.45:22 p.m.). Didier Bionaz, another Azzurro, made it into the top 30 in 62nd place. Patrick Braunhofer from Ridnaun only made one mistake, but was unable to get going on the trail and failed to qualify for the pursuit, coming in XNUMXnd.

The rest of the program

The women will compete in their pursuit race on Saturday from 12.15pm, Dorothea Wierer and Hannah Auchentaller start from a strong starting position. The men's turn will begin at 14.45:XNUMX p.m. The Hochfilzen weekend will be rounded off on Sunday with the men's and women's relays.