The biathlon elite are heading to the Olympics in Kontiolahti, Finland. In the World Cup, the Norwegian association is relying on its stars from the Winter Games as well as a returnee.
The Biathlon World Cup will be held in Kontiolahti from March 5th to 8th. There are no big surprises in the Norwegian squad.
The Scandinavians are sending their eleven-man Olympic squad to Finland. The team is complemented by Siri Skar, the 22-year-old will be back on the biggest biathlon stage for the first time since Ruhpolding at the beginning of January.
Kirkeeide ensures a biathlon bang at the Olympics
That means: For the women, Juni Arnekleiv, Marthe Kråkstad Johansen, Maren Hjelmeset Kirkeeide, Karoline Offigstad Knotten, Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold and Skar make up the Norwegian team.
In Kontiolahti, the eyes will be particularly on Kirkeeide, who celebrated her greatest career success to date with her victory in the sprint at the Olympics.
“The trainers pushed me, that gave me extra energy and literally carried me to the finish. You never know how fast the others are running, so I just got the most out of myself. I would have been happy with silver too. The fact that I now have gold is unbelievable!”, the international biathlon association IBU quoted the 22-year-old from Antholz as saying.
Two biathlon Olympic champions lead the way
The Norwegian men start the Biathlon World Cup in Finland with the sextet consisting of Johan-Olav Botn, Vetle Sjåstad Christiansen, Isak Frey, Johannes Dale-Skjevdal, Sturla Holm Lægreid and Martin Uldal.
Botn won gold in the individual at the Olympics in Antholz. Dale-Skjevdal triumphed in the final mass start.
In total, the Norwegian biathlon team collected eleven medals at the Winter Games – three gold, five silver and three bronze.
