Norway was in the podium in the relay in Hochfilzen after half the race, but the opportunity was lost when Gro Randby incurred two penalty rounds in the third leg. In the end, Norway had to settle for sixth place, in a relay Germany won superbly ahead of France and Sweden. Even before the start, Marte Olsbu Røiseland went out against the Norwegian team selection, more precisely the choice of Juni Arnekleiv on the first stage. – I have to say I think it is a surprising choice that the Norwegian Biathlon Union has made by putting Juni on the first leg, considering the journey she has had so far in the World Cup, says Røiseland, the woman with 13 World Cup golds and three Olympic golds in the prize cabinet. CLEAR NOTICE: Marte Olsbu Røiseland believes Juni Arnekleiv needs rest. Photo: Anders Boine Verstad / news Warns She points out that Juni Arnekleiv was ill before the World Cup opening in Kontiolahti. – She has entered almost every competition, is starting to get a little tired. I hoped she would be spared today, get a rest, so that she could have a good season after Christmas, and not drive herself too low now, says Røiseland. And adds: – I think it’s a bit silly for Juni, and for Juni’s health, that she doesn’t get to rest today. This is how national team coach Sverre Huber Kaas explains the choice after the race: – We have a relay today where we need to use June, and then we choose to do it. And then we have to think a bit about what to do in the future. – Hope she is allowed to rest news’s biathlon expert points out that the Swedish star Hanna Öberg has chosen a different solution. Öberg dropped Sunday’s relay, and is also facing the World Cup round in Le Grand Bornand next weekend. – I am looking forward to June both now and in the future, what she will do next weekend. I hope she is allowed to rest soon, I think she needed that, because we need a strong June back in the team, says Marte Olsbu Røiseland. Juni Arnekleiv ran four races in Kontiolahti. In Friday’s sprint in Hochfilzen, the 25-year-old from Dombås was only number 63. Thus, she was not even qualified for Saturday’s hunt start. Individually, a 20th place from the joint start in Kontiolahti is the best she has delivered, far below the normal standard. Arnekleiv: – It’s easy to have hindsight Arnekleiv shot fully lying down, and got all the flashes while standing with the help of two extra shots on Sunday’s relay leg. But the speed in the track was not everything, and Norway alternated in number seven, over half a minute behind France. – All in all, a completely approved first stage, concludes Røiseland, who was no less skeptical for that reason: – It’s a bit like what we’ve seen of Juni in the last few races now, that it doesn’t quite match what we know Juni can deliver. And I think mostly for Juni’s part that it is important that she earns a profit, that she doesn’t just compete and compete. EXHAUSTED: Juni Arnekleiv took it all out. Photo: Hanne Skjellum / news An exhausted Arnekleiv was left in the finish area long after his stage. – It is brutal and painful for the body to push oneself so hard. But it probably has something to do with the fact that I’m not in the best physical shape right now. So then I have to dig a little extra in the basement, and then I need some time to come back, she says to news. But even though she is not fit, Arnekleiv never had any doubts that she would run the relay. – It is very easy to have hindsight. Maybe I should have had a few extra days before I started competing in Kontiolahti. But it’s easy to think about it now, and then you’d better take it with you until the next time a period of illness occurs, she admits. – Agree At the same time, Arnekleiv confirms that there will now be a thorough review of what is the right way forward. It is relevant to drop the last World Cup weekend before Christmas. – We will have a chat now that the relay is over, about what will happen in the future, and perhaps especially before Christmas. Then it will be good to have a training period at least, she says. – Do you need someone to come in and possibly stop you? – No, we agree. I am very aware of what should possibly be the best thing to do. So we’ll have a chat about it afterwards. This is confirmed by national team coach Kaas. – There will be a discussion now, and then we will make good choices, so that we can make the best possible progress towards January and the WC, he says. Published 15.12.2024, at 12.49 Updated 15.12.2024, at 13.05
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