A really dark shadow over Suvi Minkkinen’s second place

Suvi Minkkinen was second. Stock photo. PDO

Broke to the top of biathlon Suvi Minkkinen already achieved his fourth podium of the season in the World Cup on Thursday.

Minkkinen was second in Oberhof’s sprint race. However, Oberhof’s mc weekend is not just a sports festival, as it is the first event of the Biathlon World Cup tour since the Norwegian Sivert Bakken deadly.

A Norwegian who has won 11 World Cup medals in his career By Ingrid Tandrevold the race on Thursday was ruined. Tandrevold shot three huts in the second place.

– This day was really special. The last few days have been tough and I haven’t had much physical or mental energy, Tandrevold told Norwegian broadcaster NRK.

The men’s sprint race was also organized on Thursday in Oberhof. Bakken was remembered before the men’s race with a minute-long applause. In addition, number 1 on the starting list was reserved for Bakken.

– We saw an opportunity and I must say that it was a really powerful moment. It also said a lot about the biathlon community. The minute’s applause was a nice gesture because we wanted to remember Sivert. It was a really powerful moment, said Tandrevold, holding back tears, according to NRK.

The men’s competition was won by Italy Tommasco Giacomelwho, upon reaching the finish line, raised his hand towards the sky.

– In the last round, I heard from the coaches that I was leading. They told me that you are not alone, Sivert is with you. This was for him, Giacomel told NRK.

Giacomeli was supposed to go practice with Bakken on the day he died.

– The feeling is strange. I won the race, which is good, but I don’t feel happy. There is nothing to celebrate today.

Biathlon champion Bakken was found dead in his hotel room in Italy on December 23. Bakken was 27 years old. His cause of death is unknown.