The biathlon nation of Norway has top ski hunters in abundance, meaning that prominent names have to compete in the second division week after week instead of in the World Cup. Once again it hit a three-time medalist at the World Championships.
Biathlete Johannes Dale-Skjevdal once again didn’t make it into Norway’s World Cup squad. The 27-year-old was instead named to the squad for the IBU Cup in Obertilliach, Austria.
Dale-Skjevdal was initially appointed to the World Cup squad at the start of the new biathlon season. However, the Norwegian was unable to convince in Kontiolahti, Finland. 63rd place in the short individual, 23rd place in the sprint and 21st place in the mass start led the coaches to cancel the ski hunter for the World Cup in Hochfilzen.
Instead, his place in the squad was taken over by the upstart Martin Uldal, who immediately impressed in his debut in the sprint (7th place) and the pursuit (5th place). There was also praise from biathlon superstar Johannes Thingnes Bö, who highlighted the high quality of his compatriots on “ZDF”.
“Crazy times” in Norwegian biathlon
“The biggest challenge lies in the team, the guys in the IBU Cup are at the same level as us. We really have to be careful and fight for our place. Johannes Dale, for example, is not here, these are crazy times,” said Bö.
In Obertilliach (December 19th to 22nd), Johannes Dale-Skjevdal will fight for victory in the IBU Cup alongside Sverre Dahlen Aspenes, Sivert Guttorm Bakken, Johan-Olav Botn, Isak Frey and Vetle Paulsen. First there is a sprint over 10 km (December 19th, 10:45 a.m.), followed by the mass start over 15 km on Saturday (December 21st, 10:45 a.m.). At the end of the IBU Cup, the races with the mixed relay (10:45 a.m.) and the single mixed relay (1:45 p.m.) take place on Sunday (December 22nd).
Meanwhile, the Norwegian women are represented in the IBU Cup by Eline Grue, Ragnhild Femsteinevik, Marthe Kraakstad Johansen, Siri Galtung Skar, Marit Ishol Skogan and Marit Oeygard.