The Norwegian biathletes celebrated an impressive success in the second division at the end of the competitions in Estonia. In view of this dominance in the IBU Cup, there was nothing to get for Roman Rees.
Five Norwegians in the first five places: The ski hunters from Scandinavia continue to dominate the IBU Cup at will.
The experienced World Cup start Vetle Sjaastad Christiansen won the mass start over 15 kilometers in front of its compatriots Johan-Olav Botn (2 errors), Isak Frey (1 error), Johannes Dale-Skjevdal (3 errors) and Silvert Guttorm Bakken on Sunday after flawless performance at the shooting range.
Already at the beginning of the competitions in the Estonian Otepää, the Norwegians had had their muscles playing. Frey won the sprint ahead of Christiansen and Dale-Skjevdal, Botn was lined up behind it. Only the German Lukas Fratzscher prevented that five Norwegians were at the forefront, Bakken was only sixth.
Biathletes remain in Otepää for the season finale in the IBU Cup
In the pursuer it was Botn who grabbed the victory. Christiansen and Dale-Skjevdal landed again in places second and three, Frey and Bakken followed in the further ranks. Behind it was the German trio around Lukas Fratzscher, Simon Kaiser and Roman Rees.
The 32-year-old Rees, Vice Squal World Champion from 2019, entered the best result from a German perspective on Sunday. He landed in seventh place with two mistakes at the shooting range. After six misconceptions, Kaiser made it to tenth tenth, Fratzscher (4 errors) ended the mass start as eleventh.
Rees and Co. have the last time in the coming days to break through the Norwegian dominance. From March 12th to 15th, four further competitions in Otepää will be on the program. After a short single, a sprint, a mixed relay and a single mixed season, this year’s season ends in the second biathlon league.