Not Bø, but Lægreid is crowned sprint world champion

Johannes Thingnes Bø already has 17 World Cup gold medals hanging in his home, and now the dominator of the last few years was on the verge of his next World Cup title. In the men's sprint at the World Championships in Nove Mesto, the younger of the two Bø brothers ran through the trail in his usual outstanding style and looked like the sure winner - until his compatriot Sturla Holm Lægreid ran through the Czech evening air flawlessly and at lightning speed. He pushed Bø, who was struggling with a shooting error, into second place with a lead of 3,5 seconds and celebrated his sprint world title at the finish. Third in the league was Velte Sjaastad Christiansen (+2), who completed the Norwegian podium in Nove Mesto.

Before the race, Johannes Thingnes was undoubtedly considered the top favorite and almost everyone expected the Norwegian to triumph. Nevertheless, after the first shooting, the specter of a surprise loomed around the Vysocina Arena, as the Olympic prone shooting champion had to go into the penalty loop. But even away from the man in the yellow jersey, many windows initially remained standing. His brother Tarjei missed twice, as did Johannes Dale and Martin Ponsiluoma. The Norwegian left the rest of the contenders with the lower starting numbers well behind him, but the serial winner's time was put in serious jeopardy by a man from his own ranks.

A mistake in shooting cost Johannes Thingnes Bø the world title. © Pierre TEYSSOT

Unlike his colleagues, Lægreid showed no weakness at the shooting range and hit all ten targets in no time. Suddenly, the Norwegian, who started with number 50, lit up green and he entered the final run section with a lead of five seconds over Bø. It should be incredibly tight. The 25-year-old's trainers whipped their man forward, Lægreid gave everything in the final meters - and crossed the finish line with a lead of 3,5 seconds. He hasn't won a race this season yet, but he is now sprint world champion.

Top 20 results for Giacomel and Hofer After the disappointing start to the World Cup by Italy's mixed relay and the mixed performance of the women The gentlemen didn't really manage to make much amends. Trentino's Tommaso Giacomel (+1.43,4 minutes) had to struggle with technical problems in the first shooting and immediately fired the first cartridge wide of the target, but showed a good performance on the cross-country ski trail. His final result was 15th place. Meanwhile, Lukas Hofer (+1.48,0 minutes) showed an outstanding performance at the shooting range and hit all of his targets. The South Tyrolean finished 18th in a race riddled with mistakes.

Didier Bionaz landed in 28th place (+2.20,1:XNUMX minutes), while Patrick Braunhofer Was 52nd (+3.28,3:14.30 minutes). It continues in Nove Mesto on Sunday with the women's pursuit (17.05 p.m.) and the men's pursuit (XNUMX p.m.), which promises an exciting race based on today's results. All four Azzurri, including Hofer and Braunhofer, are there.

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Not Bø, but Lægreid is crowned sprint world champion

Sturla Holm Lægreid was somewhat surprisingly crowned sprint world champion in Nove Mesto (Czech Republic) on Saturday evening. The great man of biathlon, Johannes Thingnes Bø, had to settle for second place.

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