Shortly before the start of the Biathlon World Championships, the Norwegians tested a new “secret weapon” at the European Championships – with resounding success. Now the “revolutionary” technology, according to legend Ole Einar Bjørndalen, will also be used at the World Cup.
As if the dominance of the Norwegian biathletes on the cross-country ski trail wasn’t already great enough, the Scandinavians have now presented a new technology that is supposed to make them even faster on the track. The first field test took place on Wednesday at the European Championships in Brezno-Osrblie. The result: gold and silver and by far the two best maturities.
Johan-Olav Botn and Vebjørn Sørum competed in the European Championship singles for the first time in an official competition with a new bond that two companies have reportedly been working on behind closed doors for ten years. After the race, both athletes confirmed what those responsible had hoped for: the technology works.
Biathlon star reveals big advantage of “secret weapon”
“With the way you attach the boot to the ski, the pressure point is right under the ten-ball. This means you get more pressure on the snow and therefore more energy,” said Sørum, describing the big advantage of the new technology compared to “TV2”.
It was agreed to test the new binding in the European Championship singles, added the new European champion, who explained: “We came first and second. You [die Bindung] works and is here to stay.”
German biathlon stars also benefit
Meanwhile, legend Ole Einar Bjørndalen revealed that the new technology has been in the planning stages for a long time. “They’ve been trying to make it happen for ten years, but so far they haven’t managed to make this combination of shoe and binding last. Now they’ve got it done. It’s revolutionary,” claimed the Norwegian biathlon icon.
Quite exciting: The Norwegians are not the only ones who will be able to use the new package of shoes and “super bindings” in the future. Benedikt Doll and Roman Rees also run with shoes from the Madshus brand and a binding from Rottefella – as of today, the only combination that makes the new technology available.
“The rumors say that the Germans are very happy”
“If they decide to use this binding at the World Cup, it looks like they could have an advantage. They now have two weeks to test it. But the rumors say that the Germans are very happy with it,” Bjørndalen said .
The ex-biathlete is convinced that the new technology package will be used at the World Cup. “The opportunity is great. Now that they’ve seen Botn and Sørum with it at the European Championships and realized what effect it had, I guess the Norwegians will use it. You have more power and more stability in the ski and it’s easier Finding balance,” said Bjørndalen.