– No, no, no, no, said Ole Einar Bjørndalen dejectedly on TV 2. – It is a total collapse, added his expert colleague Tiril Eckhoff. – He simply exploded, concluded Ola Lunde on news’s radio broadcast. The three above here have either taken part in or seen most of the world of biathlon. But when Sturla Holm Lægreid had to go out for three penalty rounds (!) in the second shooting, they were all sent off. So did the main character himself. – I don’t quite know what’s going on. I don’t feel like I’m skiing too hard or going beyond my ability, but when I try to lower the blinkers the sight picture doesn’t match what I see, says Lægreid to SVT. – I think maybe the height plays a role. You don’t get to catch up or breathe enough between shots for it to get better. It almost only gets worse and worse the longer you stand, he says. THREE ROUNDS: Sturla Holm Lægreid didn’t quite get it right on her stage. He thinks the altimeter played a trick on him. Photo: Heiko Junge / NTB From second to last to victory What looked like it could be a total disaster at the men’s relay in the USA ended up being a real roller coaster. Norway went from being second last to fighting their way up, and by the time Vetle Sjåstad Christiansen started the anchor leg, Norway was back in the lead. Tarjei Bø started the recovery on the second leg, while Johannes Thingnes Bø completed it. – He’s a freak, he Johannes, that is. Once he starts skiing fast, no one stands a chance, Bjørndalen stated. On the anchor leg, Vetle Sjåstad Christiansen was in full control and ensured the Norwegian men’s twelfth straight relay victory in the World Cup. A bit unbelievable considering the starting point. – Is it not possible He was the one who walked the first stage for Norway in Friday’s relay in the USA, and had given Norway a recipe-like start. Lægreid delivered a full house and management for a Norwegian team that was looking for revenge after the relay failure in the WC. But then everything was turned upside down. For both Lunde and Bjørndalen noticed that Lægreid went very hard on the second round, despite the fact that both jet lag and the number of altitude meters come into play. The highest point during the men’s relay was 1,688 metres. Lægreid hit his first shot, but then there were two quick misses. Then Lægreid had to stop and adjust. Bjørndalen – who knows a thing or two about biathlon – sensed danger on the way. – It is a bad sign. It’s too hard an introduction to shooting, said Bjørndalen. CRITICAL: Ole Einar Bjørndalen could hardly believe his eyes. Photo: Roy Kenneth Sydnes Jacobsen / news One missed shot followed another, and Lægreid eventually had to go through three penalty rounds – even though he also had three extra shots. – It’s not possible! He couldn’t possibly have stuck to the plan. He went as if he was going to the finish line, said a confused Bjørndalen, who was agreed by news’s expert from another channel: – It is a bit typical that you push a little too hard in round two. I think he was very aggressive instead of doing a controlled lap, especially at the height here. That he can’t be a little more patient… Here he messes up and destroys… I’m not going to say that the whole relay is ruined for Norway, but… said Ola Lunde. NOTHING ALTHOUGH: news’s biathlon expert Ola Lunde. Photo: Anders Boine Verstad Masterful recovery Norway, the favorite before the first pole vault was taken, finished in 20th place – second to last – a full 1.19 behind the lead. Despite the penalty rounds, Lægreid managed to gain a few seconds in the last round. Norway alternated 1.05 behind France, who were leading at the time. But “at that time” is very relevant to this relay. It was not just Lægreid that burst. France also went on a rampage and fired a number of bombs. Italy didn’t quite get it going either. – There was a lot of bad shooting today, emphasized Bjørndalen. Johannes Thingnes Bø, on the other hand, made it look easy. Because when Lægreid started Tarjei Bø on the second stage, he had a difficult task: It was more than a minute up to the lead, but Bø delivered a good stage, and at change number three, Norway was in third place, a little more than half a minute behind Italy. – Norway is still the favourite, pointed out news’s expert commentator Ola Lunde. After two shootings, Thingnes Bø was superbly in the lead. “Stormen fra Stryn” did very well on the American snow, shot two full houses and ensured that Vetle Sjåstad Christiansen got a very good starting point. The closest to Norway at the switch were the USA and Germany, respectively 36 and 37 seconds behind Norway. Christiansen walked the entire stage alone, kept his composure on the stand and crossed the finish line in Soldier Hollow in solitary majesty. Italy was closest, 26 seconds behind Norway. Germany was third. Thus Norway fought back after the relay failure in the World Cup where they had a shot at victory – but in the end had to see themselves beaten by Sweden. In the context of the World Cup, the Norwegian team is supreme in the relay: The last time the Norwegian team was not at the top of the podium was in January 2022.
ttn-69
The experts were stunned by the total Lægreid crack – Norway from second to last to victory – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule
