Sturla Holm Laegreid achieved a remarkable victory in the Antholz pursuit event, claiming his second World Cup win of the season while preserving the yellow jersey. He finished without errors, ahead of fellow Norwegian Tarjei Bö and Italian Tommaso Giacomel. Meanwhile, the German team struggled, with Philipp Horn as their top finisher in 11th place. As they prepare for the World Championships in Lenzerheide, the German athletes faced challenges, needing flawless performances to improve their standings.
Sturla Holm Laegreid’s Impressive Victory in Antholz
Sturla Holm Laegreid delivered an outstanding performance in the pursuit event held in Antholz, securing his second World Cup win of the season while maintaining the prestigious yellow jersey. In contrast, the German biathletes faced challenges that hindered their momentum ahead of the upcoming World Championships.
On January 26, 2025, Laegreid showcased his exceptional skills, finishing the race without a single mistake at the shooting range. He crossed the finish line ahead of fellow Norwegian Tarjei Bö, who had one error and finished 18.9 seconds later, and Italian Tommaso Giacomel, who made two mistakes and finished 24 seconds behind. For Bö, this race served as a memorable farewell to Antholz after his sprint victory, as he prepares to retire at the end of the season alongside his brother, Johannes Thingnes Bö.
Challenges for German Biathletes
The German team struggled, with all athletes starting outside the top 10 and unable to contend for podium positions. Philipp Horn emerged as the best German competitor, finishing in 11th place with three errors, maintaining his position from the sprint event. “I’m not completely dissatisfied, although it’s frustrating not to have a clean last round,” Horn commented on ZDF. He emphasized the importance of recovery as they head into the World Championships in Lenzerheide, Switzerland, starting February 12, which is the pinnacle of the season.
Philipp Nawrath also recorded three errors, placing 21st, while Johannes Kühn and David Zobel finished 27th and 33rd, respectively. Justus Strelow, typically a strong shooter, faced difficulties this time, finishing 39th after five errors. Following the race, Strelow shared insights about his unexpected shooting performance in an interview.
The German team needed a flawless day to bounce back from mixed results in previous events. Horn, with a 40-second deficit, and Nawrath, with a 52-second gap, entered the race with promising starting positions. However, Kühn, Strelow, and Zobel had to rely on significant mistakes from the top competitors. Initially, the trio performed well, maintaining their positions after the first shooting round, while Nawrath returned to the race after missing the relay due to health issues. Unfortunately, Horn and Nawrath faltered in the second shooting round, missing their last shots, while Kühn and Zobel hit all their targets.
As the race progressed, Laegreid and Bö established a slight lead, with Bö and Giacomel working hard to close the gap. However, Bö made two mistakes, allowing Giacomel to surge ahead, followed closely by Laegreid. Horn, Nawrath, and Zobel were forced to take penalty laps, falling behind, while Kühn continued his impressive shooting streak, gaining 19 places to reach 20th position.
Ultimately, the race’s outcome hinged on the final standing shooting. Giacomel, energized by the support of Italian fans, was the first to reach the range but made his first mistake, as did Tarjei Bö. Seizing the moment, Laegreid completed his flawless shooting series, sprinting towards victory. Although Horn missed another target, he managed to remain in the top 10, surrendering his position to Swiss competitor Niklas Hartweg in the final stretch.
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In Antholz, the biathletes demonstrated their skills in the pursuit event, showcasing thrilling performances and fierce competition throughout the race.
In Antholz, the relay took center stage, with exhilarating moments and intense rivalries making for an unforgettable race summary.