Unfortunately, when the biathlon entourage returns to the World Cup stage in Nove Mesto, Czech Republic, after the World Championships, an absolute superstar will unfortunately be missing. Five-time world champion Sturla Holm Laegreid from Norway misses the races due to an infection with the corona virus. The 26-year-old is already on his way back home, as the Norwegian association announced.
Accordingly, Laegreid announced on Wednesday morning that he did not feel quite fit, and a subsequent test for the corona virus was positive.
“I don’t think there will be a race for me in Nove Mesto this weekend. Hope I’ll be back soon,” Laegreid wrote on his Instagram profile on Wednesday afternoon, along with a photo of him clearly stunned with his positive test poses.
The relay Olympic champion from Beijing, who was one of the most successful skiers at the World Championships in Oberhof with three silver medals and one bronze medal, is second in the overall World Cup behind dominator Johannes Thingnes Bö. A position that he probably doesn’t have to worry about despite his compulsory break. Laegreid’s compatriot Vetle Sjaastad Christiansen is already more than 300 points behind in third place.
In addition to Bö and Christiansen, Tarjei Bö, Johannes Dale and Endre Strömsheim will represent the Norwegian men in Nove Mesto.
The Norwegian women’s team cannot compete in full strength either, with Ida Lien, Ragnhild Femsteinevik and Juni Arnekleiv absent due to respiratory infections and stomach problems. There are no late nominations in the Norwegian team because the second-tier IBU Cup is taking place in Canmore, Canada.
The men’s sprint is on the program in Nove Mesto on Thursday (4:10 p.m.). The women’s short distance will follow on Friday (4:10 p.m.). On Saturday you measure yourself in the pursuer. The finale on Sunday will be a mixed relay and a single mixed relay.