Biathlon World Cup 2023: Norway wins first gold in the mixed relay in Oberhof, Germany sixth

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Sturla Holm Laegreid (right) and Norway won the first gold in Oberhof

Photo: CHRISTOF STACHE / AFP

The Norwegian mixed relay with Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold, Marte Olsbu Røiseland, Sturla Holm Laegreid and Johannes Thingnes Bø has won the first decision at the Biathlon World Championships in Oberhof.

Silver went to Italy (+11.6 seconds), France took bronze (+55.9 seconds).

The German season, with Vanessa Voigt, Denise Herrmann-Wick, Benedikt Doll and Roman Rees, came sixth (+1.26.5 minutes) among 26 seasons that had started.

A disappointment for the almost 20,000 spectators on the Rennsteig.

Voigt had finished the first section of the competition over 4 x 6 kilometers in eleventh place, almost a minute behind.

Herrmann-Wick put the German squadron ahead with an impressive performance, but missed an even better result with a spare on the tenth and final shot attempt.

At half-time in the race, Italy was 6.3 seconds ahead of France, Germany followed in third place with 36.9 seconds ahead of Sweden and Norway.

Damper by Doll

After the two women, the men now followed and promptly the German hopes experienced a severe setback: Benedikt Doll had big problems at the first shooting and even had to go to the penalty loop.

Norway had worked their way up to first place at the last change, followed by fellow favorites France (+0.7 seconds), Italy (+8.1 seconds) and Sweden (+14.7 seconds).

Doll handed over in seventh (+55.4 seconds).

Nothing came of the expected duel between Norway's Bø and Frenchman Quentin Fillon Maillet.

Both required three spare rounds on the first shooting, with Sweden having three penalties.

Bø and Tommasso Giacomel left the last standing stage in sync, but then Bø showed his class and secured his team the first of what is believed to be numerous gold medals.

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