Berlin, Nov 30, (dpa/GNA) – Norway came from behind, to win the mixed relay, after Sweden had topped the single mixed relay on the opening day of the biathlon World Cup season on Saturday in Finland.
Vebjoern Soerum made up a 14.6-second deficit, after the last shooting in Kontiolahti, as he caught French anchor Emilien Jacquelin on the final metres by eight-tenths of a second.
Soerum won together Karoline Knotten, Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold and Joahnnes Dale-Skjevdal, as the team required 10 spare rounds in the shooting range.
“It was nothing I expected after the last shooting. I was trying to reach the Swede and then right before the finish line, I saw Jacquelin. So I tried everything I could, and it was so great to be first across the finish line,” Soerum said.
Sweden took third place, but had tasted success earlier in the day from Ella Halvarsson and Sebastian Samuelsson in the single mixed relay.
The pair had to reload four times in the shooting range, but escaped a penalty lap to cross the line first.
France beat Germany in a photo finish for second place, with both teams trailing by 10.2 seconds.
Quentin Fillon-Maillet missed a possible victory for France together with Julia Simon, when he struggled in the final shooting, but came from behind to pip Germany’s Justus Strelow, who competed with Vanessa Voigt, for second.
Norway had to settle for fifth place from Juni Arnekleiv, and Vetle Sjastaad Christiansen.
The men’s and women’s relays are scheduled for Sunday in Kontiolahti.
GNA