The Norwegian Biathlon Association surprisingly announced its two A squads for the upcoming World Cup season on Friday. Two names on the list won’t mean something to all fans.
Many familiar faces, but also two newcomers: The Norwegian Biathlon Association is also sending a team to the start in the 2023/24 World Cup season that is impressive.
The Scandinavians’ A squad is led by superstar Johannes Thingnes Bø. Together with his brother Tarjei, Sturla Holm Lægreid, Filip Fjeld Andersen, Vetle Sjåstad Christiansen and Johannes Dale, he should try to repeat the outstanding results of the 2022/23 season.
Back in the team is 24-year-old Sivert Guttorm Bakken, who missed all of last season after suffering the after-effects of a coronavirus vaccination, it is believed. He gets the preference over Endre Strømsheim and Vebjørn Sørum, who competed in the World Cup this year.
Supertalent starts in the Biathlon World Cup
Following the retirements of Marte Olsbu Røiseland and Tiril Eckhoff, the women’s team is now led by Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold. She is supported by Juni Arnekleiv, Ragnhild Femsteinevik, Karoline Knotten and Ida Lien.
Super talent Maren Kirkeeide is new to the Scandinavian squad. The only 20-year-old celebrated her World Cup debut this year and competed in a total of two races in Ruhpolding and Oslo. Now the highly regarded young biathlete can prove herself in the elite class for a full season for the first time.
Team manager Per Arne Botnan explained in a press release from the association that these squads are not yet set in stone. There he announced a “fight for places in all teams”, but also said that they had now settled on a line-up “with which we are happy”. He described absorbing the resignations of Røiseland and Eckhoff as “challenging”.