09:59
Leitner starts with an error
Felix Leitner just ran away from the first shooting but has to put himself far away from the medals for now. With a penalty minute, they are back on the track in 25th place.
09:58
The last German starter is on the way
The last German starter is on the road with Roman Rees. He, too, now has to tackle 20 strenuous kilometers on a demanding route in adverse conditions.
09:58
Simon Eder hits everything again
Class! Simon Eder was in his first standing position and the Austrian’s veteran didn’t show any nerves there either. Having already scored ten goals in this race, he is in fifth place in the interim standings. For the Swiss Joscha Burkhalter it starts with five goals from the first shooting.
09:55
Fillon maillet with first error
There is a lot going on at the shooting range and Quentin Fillon Maillet was one of the favorites for his first standing. With one mistake, he falls back to fourth place. But everything is still close together here. Meanwhile, Alexander Loginov makes a change at the front at the first shooting. He beat Fillot Maillet there by 6.2 seconds.
09:54
Lesser bets five hits
Class! Erik Lesser holds his first shooting in the medal race. He confidently sunk five shots and went into eighth place for the next few kilometers. With Johannes Kühn, on the other hand, things are not going so well today! He was on the shooting range at the same time as Lesser, but suffered two penalties in standing.
09:53
Benedict Doll in the race
Benedikt Doll finished twelfth in the final individual before the Winter Olympics. In view of the mass start victory at the World Cup in Antholz shortly before the Olympics, he shouldn’t lack self-confidence. It will be interesting to see what comes out today.
09:52
Tarjei Bø keeps the clean sheet
Tarjei Bø keeps his clean slate and in the second standing stage he has his shot on target without any problems. He starts his next round in second place.
09:52
Christiansen starts with a mistake
Vetle Sjåstad Christiansen is certainly one of the extended favorites today. In his first prone position, however, he has to accept a small defeat and a shot goes wide. Quentin Fillon Maillet remains in the lead after the first shooting.
09:51
It’s time for the second shooting
Maxim Tsvetkov and Johannes Thingnes Bø have meanwhile arrived at their second shooting. The accurate Russian keeps his streak and comes through well in the first standing stage. Johannes Thingnes Bø also hits everything now. However, he also has his problems more in the prone position.
09:48
Leitner gets up
Felix Leitner is the second athlete from the Austrian team to take to the track. The individual is certainly not his favorite discipline, but if it fits at the shooting range and other mistakes, maybe Leitner could strike too.
09:47
Good start from Eder
Good start from Simon Eder! The Austrian comes into his first shooting with a solid run and everything is coming together on the shooting range as well. There are the five hits and it starts again in fourth place. Simon Desthieux starts with a penalty minute.
09:46
First Swiss in the race
Joscha Burkhalter is the first Swiss to start the 20-kilometer race. He is not the favorite for the medals, but a place in the top ten would be a result with which he can look back with satisfaction.
09:45
Fillon Maillet takes the lead
Quentin Fillon Maillet does it better a little later and with a sovereign hit series, the Frenchman takes the lead. He was able to take 1.5 seconds off Tsvetkov. So far, six athletes have come through the first shooting without a penalty.
09:44
Boldly misses all chances!
phew! After the first shooting, Johannes Kühn really rained down! The German can’t cope with his prone attack and immediately collects three penalty minutes. With that he can actually write off the fight for the medals.
09:43
Eric Lesser started
With Erik Lesser, the next German starter has meanwhile left the track. The 34-year-old recently celebrated good results in the World Cup. That is what we need to build on today.
09:43
The big brother hits everything
A little later Tarjei Bø is at his first shooting. He stays calm, briefly adjusts the line of sight and then calmly sinks all five shots. 18 seconds behind Maxim Tsvetkov, it’s back on track.
09:41
Johannes Thingnes Bø at the first shooting
Maxim Tsvetkov is known as a good marksman and hits all the targets the first time. Things are completely different with Johannes Thingnes Bø. The Norwegian straightened up a few seconds before his shooting and missed the second target in the first prone. With 49.8 seconds it falls behind the competitors from Russia.
09:39
Simon Desthieux in the race
While the first athletes are shooting, another favorite is on the course. Simon Desthieux has already been on the podium in one of the singles this season.
09:37
The veteran sets out
Simon Eder goes into the cross-country ski run with powerful stick pushes. The Austrian is considered a stronger shooter, but has recently had a few weaker competitions in the World Cup. In addition, he always struggles with the running form.
09:36
First split times
There are the first intermediate times at 0.9 kilometers. However, since today it is important to divide up the long race correctly, these are of little significance. It is unsurprisingly led by Johannes Thingnes Bø. Meanwhile, Quentin Fillon Maillet, the next favorite, left the starting line.
09:34
Bold on the track!
It applies to the first German starter in today’s race. Can Johannes Kühn play a word for the top places today?
09:33
Tarjei Bo on the way
And his older brother, Tarjei Bø, is already on the track. He was on the podium in both individual races in the World Cup and is therefore still one of the narrow favorites today.
09:31
Here we go!
It’s done in Zhangjiakou and the individual decision will be made over the 20 kilometers. ROC’s Maxim Tsvetkov is the first of 92 athletes to take to the track. Immediately after him we see Johannes Thingnes Bø, the first starter from the group of favourites. He won gold at this distance in 2018, this year Bø is struggling with form, especially in prone. It will be exciting to see if he was able to shake off his problems in time for the Olympics.
09:24
The conditions
The conditions in Zhangjiakou were the main topic, especially after the mixed relay. However, the winds are moderate today and the temperatures are only in the single-digit minus range. Of course, the altitude is and remains a challenge, which will demand the athletes over the 20 kilometers.
09:18
What is possible for Switzerland?
A medal for the Swiss would also be a big surprise today, because there have been no great results in recent years, especially in individual competitions. Joscha Burkhalter with start number 32 will open for the Confederates. Benjamin Weger will be the 57th starter on the track. Niklas Hartweg (77) and Sebastian Stalder (80) each have a fairly high starting number.
09:13
The squad of the Austrians
The four athletes from Austria are certainly not among the top favorites for the medals today. The team is led by the experienced Simon Eder, who will tackle the strenuous 20 kilometers with start number 13. Next to him, Felix Leitner (36) has the best chance of a good result in today’s competition. David Komatz (65) and Harald Lemmerer (88) will target results in the top 30.
09:09
Will there be another German surprise?
The German men are not necessarily among the favorites today, but yesterday’s race with Denise Herrmann’s gold coup showed that a lot is possible in the individual if you catch the perfect day. Johannes Kühn (car number 8), Erik Lesser (27), Benedikt Doll (44) and Roman Rees (54) were nominated for today’s race.
09:04
Who are the favourites?
Individuals often have their own laws, so picking a clear favorite isn’t easy. Tarjei Bø, who was the only athlete to have stood on the podium in both individual races this winter, should figure his chances. But his brother Johannes Thingnes Bø could also be considered for medals if he does well on the shooting range. Third favorite in the ranks of the Norwegians is Sturla Holm Lægreid. The French around Quentin Fillon Maillet and Simon Desthieux are also to be rated highly.
08:56
That’s due today
Unlike in the sprint, the individual not only runs longer, but also shoots four times. There, every mistake has a penalty minute as a consequence, there are no penalty loops. As a result, the better shooters have an advantage in this competition, since errors cannot be easily compensated for by fast running times.
08:47
Warm welcome!
Hello and welcome to the next biathlon decision at the Beijing Olympics! From 9:30 a.m. the men will fight for gold, silver and bronze individually.