Biathlon sisters Elvira and Hanna Öberg showed two faces at the Swedish season opener. After a disappointing race on Saturday, the duo each took a place on the podium on Sunday. The fact that it wasn’t enough for Hanna Öberg for more was apparently also due to the sun. A statement that made ex-biathlete Björn Ferry frown.
The sisters Elvira and Hanna Öberg still have to work on their marksmanship before the start of the World Cup in Kontiolahti, Finland (November 30th). In Idre Fjäll, where the Swedes gave the national starting signal for the new season, not every shot really landed.
In the sprint race on Saturday, relay Olympic champion Elvira Öberg missed four times, her sister Hanna, who was three years older, even missed six times. In the end, it was only enough for places ten and 15. On Sunday things looked much better: Elvira Öberg finished second with one penalty and only 0.3 seconds behind Anais Chevalier-Bouchet from France, Hanna Öberg came in second third with two penalties in standing.
“It’s a shame that it was so close, but I’m still happy with the sprint lap,” said 23-year-old Elvira afterwards at “SVT“. “I got out what I had in my body and I’m well on my way for Finland.”
Meanwhile, her sister Hanna continued to have problems in prone on Sunday, but due to her good speed she was able to overtake Saturday’s winner Tilda Johansson. “The prone shooting wasn’t quite there and my analysis is that the sun bothered me in the diopter and I didn’t get enough sharpness in the sighting image,” said the 26-year-old. Nevertheless, she says confidently: “I’m in a good phase and well on track for the World Cup.”
With ex-biathlete Björn Ferry, however, Öberg’s explanation comes across more like an excuse. “She has to take on this responsibility herself,” said the “SVT” expert.