Although Sebastian Samuelsson won a total of three medals at the Biathlon World Championships in Oberhof and was crowned mass start world champion, the 2022/23 season did not go according to plan for him. To change that, the Swede is now using a new weapon and a new shooting technique.
Before the start of the 2022/23 biathlon season, Sebastian Samuelsson was still considered one of the Norwegians’ biggest challengers. But that was done quickly. In the end, the Swede did not make it onto the podium in a single (!) World Cup race. He was only on the podium at the World Championships in Oberhof – there three times.
The 26-year-old made a few changes so that his “daily business” would be more successful in the coming season. Main focus: shooting.
“More Attack” at the ready
“I’ve worked hard to reduce my shooting times. My goal is to be three seconds faster on average in both standing and prone shooting,” Samuelsson told SVT about his ambitious plan.
In addition to his technique, he also honed his material. Large parts of his weapon are new. “Almost the entire rifle,” explained the Swede, who wants to be even more aggressive and more “on the attack” in the future.
Samuelsson was ‘a bit behind the biathlon trend’
Samuelsson is convinced that the new measures will have an effect. “I think I’ll shoot better if I shoot faster. If I can shoot six seconds faster overall in a sprint, that makes a big difference,” he calculated.
For years, the trend has been towards a faster attack, explained the 26-year-old, who receives object lessons primarily from the Norwegians, who waste almost no time on the mat. “And I have the feeling that I was a bit behind there. I want to get a grip on that now,” said Samuelsson.