5:07 p.m
Kühn continues to lose
With the arrival of Tarjei Bø, Johannes Kühn also loses further ground in seventh position. He is now 44.8 seconds behind.
5:07 p.m
Norway puts everything into it
Tarjei Bø puts everything in for his team in the final meters and puts second after second between himself and his first pursuer. His goal will be to get as much of a lead as possible for his brother.
5:06 p.m
It’s Tarjei Bø’s turn
Tarjei Bø is the strongest runner in the leading group and so it is not surprising that he has now overtaken the Czech on his final lap and is taking the lead. Sweden is 9.6 seconds behind in third place. Kühn remains seventh and was only able to gain a second.
5:05 p.m
4. Shoot
Stalder worked his way up close for Switzerland with clean shooting. He goes into his final lap in 14th place. Simon Eder also hits everything and goes into the final kilometers in 17th position.
5:03 p.m
4. Shoot
Four nations come together for the fourth shooting. Who can go into the final lap as the leader? It’s Michal Krcmar for the Czechs, who can no longer hold back in the stands. The previously strong Kazakh team follows in second place. Tarjei Bø is in third place after three spare rounds. In Germany it is now hailing and with one penalty loop Kühn is back on the track in seventh place with 39.2 seconds.
5:01 p.m
Tarjei Bø closes the gap
Tarjei Bø continues to downsize and, together with Nelin, has now reached Germany and the Czech Republic. Will this take revenge for the Norwegian at the shooting range?
16:59
Krcmar has come up
Krcmar brought Johannes Kühn to the Czechs and together the two of them are now setting the pace at the front. Tarjei Bø was able to further reduce the size of the round. He is only 14 seconds away from the top duo in fourth place. The Swedes are in between. Austria and France are in 19th place.
16:57
3. Shoot
Sweden fights its way up to third place, 9.3 seconds behind. Tarjei Bø scored five goals for Norway and reduced his gap to 19 seconds. However, it doesn’t suit France at all! Fabien Claude books the next two penalties for the defending champion. Italy has also fallen behind considerably. After a penalty lap by Bionaz, we only finished 22nd.
16:56
3. Shoot
The third shooting takes place in an unusual constellation with many underdogs at the top. Can Johannes Kühn match Strelow’s good performance for Germany? Kühn needs the spare, but he quickly hits the target and is back on the track in first position. The Czech Republic follows 2.5 seconds behind.
16:52
France and Norway must invest
France and Norway now need to invest to narrow the gap. With Fabien Claude, the French came closer by 26 seconds. Norway is still 37 seconds behind.
4:50 p.m
1. Change
Switzerland moves to 19th place and Sebastian Stalder is 1:13 minutes behind. Austria is also already behind in 22nd place, 1:29 minutes behind. For them, Simon Eder is now on the 7.5 kilometers.
16:49
1. Change
The first change is coming. Estonia, Czech Republic, Kazakhstan and Germany enter the transition zone together. Johannes Kühn is now on the line for Germany. Sweden finally changes with 23 seconds behind. France is 30 seconds behind, while Norway is 44 seconds ahead.
16:46
Group of five at the front
A group of five nations has formed at the top. Apart from Germany, it is mainly outsiders who are there. Sweden is 11 seconds behind Brandt. For their part, France and Norway have already caught up a few seconds since the shooting.
4:45 p.m
2. Shooting
Things are completely different for the top favorites! Both Norway and France now have to go into the round and are washed back. France is 39 seconds behind, Norway is 46 seconds behind in the final round of the first group. Komatz also has to turn for Austria. Burkhalter gets through with two spares.
16:43
2. Shooting
Seven nations come to their second shooting at the same time. This time you have to hit the targets while standing. Strelow is off to a quick start again and now all the targets are falling for the German, who will go into the final lap as the front runner. His first pursuer comes from the Czech Republic. Behind them are the Czech Republic and Kazakhstan.
4:40 p.m
Lægreid passes by
Sturla Holm Lægreid goes past the German for Norway and moves to the top of the group of seven nations. Austria and Switzerland are further back in the field, but still have every chance given the narrow gaps.
16:39
It collapses
Things quickly narrowed down again on the track and Strelow’s lead had shrunk to just two seconds. The field is also tight in other respects. Only Korea had to stop after the first shooting.
16:38
1. Shooting
It’s time for the first shooting and Justus Strelow shows himself really well there! With a really quick prone stop he gets back on the track in first position. Behind them, Brandt is 7.9 seconds behind for the Swedes. Mikyska also comes through without any mistakes. Lægreid is ninth after a Nachalder. Austria and Switzerland are almost half a minute behind the leader.
4:35 p.m
Mikyska causes cheers
Shortly before the first shooting begins, Tomas Mikyska causes the home crowd to cheer and courageously goes to the front of the large group.
16:32
Strelow at the forefront
After the first 800 meters, Justus Strelow is at the top of the group for the German team. The pace is set by Norway. Austria and Switzerland are in the middle.
4:30 p.m
Let’s go!
The starting signal has been fired and the starting runners of the 24 relay teams set out on the course. In the first few meters the most important thing is to get a good position in the crowd and not fall. Norway starts with Lægreid, while France relies on Perrot. Justus Strelow is on the 7.5 kilometers for Germany. David Komatz and Joscha Burkhalter open for Austria and Switzerland.
16:24
What’s going on for the Swiss team?
The team from Switzerland is also unlikely to start today as one of the medal favorites. With fifth place in Oberhof, Joscha Burkhalter, Sebastian Stalder, Jeremy Finello and Niklas Hartweg also showed that they are there if the top favorites make a mistake.
16:17
The quartet from Austria
The quartet from Austria enters the race as outsiders and is particularly struggling on the cross-country ski trails. David Komatz will be the starting runner, before veteran Simon Eder will follow him. Felix Leitner runs the next 7.5 kilometers before Patrick Jakob finishes off the ÖSV runners.
16:11
Who else can get involved?
If one of the three big favorites Norway, France and Germany fails, then the Italians, who have already been on the podium twice this season, will certainly be there again today. Elia Zeni, Didier Bionaz, Lukas Hofer and Tommaso Giacomel will run the relay.
16:04
DSV team is aiming for a medal
The German team, which was on the podium in all relay races this winter, is also hoping for a medal. Justus Strelow is supposed to bring the team into the race. He is then followed by Johannes Kühn in second place, before Philipp Nawrath takes over the third part. Benedikt Doll was nominated as the final runner.
3:55 p.m
A top favorite
There is a big favorite in the men’s relay at this year’s World Championships: Norway. The biathlon nation dominates the relay races in the World Cup and the medals in the previous men’s individual World Cup races also went to Norway. But last year’s World Cup showed that Norway can also have a bad day. The Norwegians stumbled in Oberhof and gold ultimately went to France. Sturla Holm Lægreid is set to open for Norway. He is then followed by the two Bø brothers before Vetle Sjåstad Christiansen finishes. For its part, France starts with Perrot, Fabien Claude, Jacquelin and Fillon Maillet.
Welcome!
Hello and welcome to the World Cup decision in the men’s relay! The live ticker begins in good time before the start of the competition.