“Was unable”
Biathlete talks about psychological pressure
Updated on January 28, 2025 – 1:50 p.m.Reading time: 2 min.
The Norwegian gentlemen dominate the Biathlon World Cup. However, the high performance density also troubles experienced athletes.
In the overall World Cup of biathletes, Sturla Holm Laegreid and Johannes Thingnes Bö lead the field to the field. Two of their teammates are also in the ranking of the top ten. With the high performance density among the Norwegians, however, not all athletes can cope, as Vetle Sjastad Christiansen now revealed.
The 32-year-old was still in Annecy in France before Christmas, but then had to hand in his World Cup place in Oberhof. Despite a perfect shooting insert, the Norwegian in Ruhpolding only came to a 16th place at the start of the mass. With the season he finished second in Antholz in Italy.
Vetle Sjastad Christiansen now explained to the Norwegian public service broadcasting NRK: “The pressure that is on the Norwegian team should not be neglected, and I was unable to deal with this stress factor.” He also stated in relation to Ruhpolding: “I felt good, but the physical part can be drained through mental stress. I think that was the case.”
Six Norwegians were able to win at least one World Cup race this season-and it is precisely these six athletes that were nominated for the biathlon World Cup in Lenzerheide. According to NRK, the qualified includes the two new national teams Martin Uldal and Vebjorn Sorum. For more experienced athletes like Vetle Sjastad Christiansen, on the other hand, this means an unusual role: he was only named as a reservist. His team-mate Johannes Dale-Skjevdal even fell completely from the selection.
Vetle Sjastad Christiansen said: “You just have to accept that others have done it better in the matter.”