In Kontiolahti, an error-free performance by the Italian from the shooting range is not enough for the podium: the Frenchman wins and wins the specialty cup, getting closer to the general one, then two Norwegians, Sturla Holm Laegreid and Vetle Christiansen
Lukas Hofer took a liking to it. Without Tommaso Giacomel, after cardiac ablation surgery following the problem suffered during the Olympic mass start when he was leading the race, the Italian biathlon team dreamed thanks to its veteran. In the men’s 20 km individual, the thirty-six year old from CS Carabinieri finished in 4th place, 1’18″1 behind the winner, the Frenchman Perrot, who has now secured victory in the general classification since Giacomel is absent, today -127 points from the top. In second place is the usual Sturla Holm Laegreid, on his first podium of the season in the World Cup and who has definitely improved his tone since the Olympics. The Norwegian arrived at 29”9 without errors, ahead of his compatriot Christiansen, third at 47”9.
HOFER TO APPLAUSE
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Hofer’s perfect shooting day has even more value if we consider that before 3rd place in Nove Mesto last January, the South Tyrolean had never finished an individual without making mistakes. Even before that race, the last Italian to finish an individual World Cup without making a mistake had been Christian De Lorenzi in 2014. “For me it was important to confirm myself today – he said – because I had some good days here at the range in training and today I managed to do what I know in the race. I gave the best of me, but unfortunately three of them managed to do more and finish in front. But I’m proud to still be here fighting despite my age. Of course, fourth place it always leaves a bad taste in the mouth, if that wasn’t the case then I wouldn’t be in the right place.”
Saturday’s races
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The Saturday program includes the women’s mass start at 1.40pm and the men’s relay at 3.40pm. Three Italians competing in the mass start. In addition to Lisa Vittozzi, not in the best condition in Thursday’s individual, finishing 11th, there are also Hannah Auchentaller and Martina Trabucchi, capable of qualifying thanks to their excellent performance on Thursday, having finished 14th and 19th respectively. At 3.40pm there will then be the men’s relay. Italy fields the four already present today: Patrick Braunhofer, Lukas Hofer, Nicola Romanin and Christoph Pircher.
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