Johannes Thingnes Bö wins the Biathlon World Cup in Nove Mesto after the World Cup

VJustus Strelow looked surprised at the result board after crossing the finish line. The German biathlete only allowed one shooting error at the start of the World Cup in Nove Mesto, Czech Republic, but was almost two minutes behind the dominator Johannes Thingnes Bö from Norway. “In terms of running, I felt pretty good, but I was a bit scared when I reached the finish line. I don’t know how he does it,” said Strelow in an interview with ARD. He finished 16th in Thursday’s sprint over ten kilometers, 1:55.8 minutes behind.

The German biathlon men went in search of clues at the third to last World Cup of the season. They had already missed a medal at the home world championships. The five-time Oberhof triumphant Bö, on the other hand, was able to build on his World Championship form and gained more than 30 seconds on the competition on the cross-country ski run with his 15th win of the season.

“Somehow he also has a self-confidence”

Roman Rees, who was the best athlete in the German Ski Association (+1:27.4 minutes) with a shooting error in eighth place, also tried to explain. “Obviously there are a few components that come together,” Rees said. “He has good physique and is an outstanding talent in terms of a good pump with all the trimmings. There’s a confidence in him, too.” Standing, where Gust hit all five targets as well as prone, was “more like a show than a competitive situation,” Rees said.

Benedikt Doll was a little faster than the 30-year-old from Freiburg on the cross-country ski run. However, the former world champion made two penalties in the first shooting. However, he did not want to tick off the race early. “The fact that the race is over for me is not like that,” said Doll. “Sure, I know that the top place is gone and of course it’s super annoying. With two fewer mistakes, the podium is possible.”

So Doll ended up in twelfth place with the seventh fastest time. The day before he had announced that he would not end his career. “But that wasn’t a release or a pressure situation for me,” said Doll. “But it’s good that the situation is clear now, so I know that things will continue and that I have to stay focused.”

On the podium were Johannes Thingnes Bö, who secured the World Cup sprint rating early, his brother Tarjei Bö (0 shooting errors/+30.0 seconds) and Vetle Sjastad Christiansen (1 error/+1:15.2 minutes) more Norwegians. “The Norwegians will definitely have the right material because they are ahead as a team again,” said Rees.

Johannes Kühn was still in the running with good prospects up until the second shooting. But then he had to go into the penalty loop twice. He had to settle for 20th place, 2:16.6 minutes behind Bö. Philipp Nawrath as 30th (3 shooting errors/+2:32.6 minutes) and David Zobel as 38th (3/+2:46.1) also played no role in the decision about the top positions.