Martin Ponsiluoma experienced a real nightmare at the end of the biathlon weekend in Annecy. The two-time world champion from Sweden came last in the mass start after a disastrous performance at the shooting range. He then found clear words for his performance.
Nobody scored worse, only eight runners were slower on the cross-country ski trail: Martin Ponsiluoma was completely beside himself in the mass start in Annecy and came last, well over four minutes behind winner Tarjei Bø from Norway.
“A real shitty race,” the 29-year-old then commented on his appearance in clear words in the “SVT” interview. “It was bad through and through,” said the former world champion, who lost the connection after the first shooting.
Biathlon season to forget
Ponsiluoma made two errors in the first prone stage and started his second round in the gruppetto. He also shot two tickets in the second stage, followed by two more in the first standing stage. In the final attack the Swede went all or nothing. The 29-year-old hit his first shot, but followed that up with four tickets. With a total of ten penalties, he set the sad best of the day.
“It started badly and I’m running behind the whole time. It’s clear that it’s going to be difficult,” said Ponsiluoma, who, when asked about the reasons for his poor form, said at a loss: “It’s hard to say.”
The 2024/25 World Cup season has been catastrophic for the two-time world champion so far. It started in the individual in Kontiolahti, where he finished in 71st place. The Swedish team’s second-best biathlete achieved his best placement to date in the Hochfilzen sprint. But even there, in the end it was only enough for a disappointing twelfth place.
In the overall World Cup, the 29-year-old is only in 27th place at the Christmas break.