Italy’s Tommaso Giacomel used his ski speed and a blindingly fast standing stage to secure Italy’s victory in this afternoon’s Nove Mesto 4 X 6 km Mixed Relay. Giacomel and teammates Dorothea Wierer, Lisa Vittozzi and Lukas Hofer needed ten spare rounds in their 1:03:11.7 victory. Today’s win was Italy’s third in the discipline. Today’s win was Italy’s third in the discipline, their first since winning at Oestersund in November of 2019, with Wierer, Vittozzi and Hofer also on that squad.

“Good day to be Italian”

The Italian anchor and current Yellow Bib holder understating his overpowering effort, “I had a good day. I did a good job today, had a good starting position for my leg. I think I did well. I am really happy, the whole team also the wax team coaches all did a really good job. It was a really good day to be Italian!”

“Soaking up all the positive energy”

On the last loop, Giacomel’s big lead gave him time to celebrate, slapping a few hands and waving to the boisterous crowd. “On the last loop, I was soaking in all of the positive energy. The crowds here are really amazing. It was almost difficult to hear my own heartbeat. It was a really special day.”

France with seven spares finished second, 24.7 seconds back. The home team finished third, with seven spares, 57.2 seconds back after anchor Michal Krcmar’s adrenalin-filled anchor leg brought them for fifth at the final exchange.

The USA, with seven spares finished fourth, equaling their all-time best, 59.5 seconds back. Switzerland with eight spares finished fifth, 1:20.9 back, while Norway with two penalties and eight spares finished sixth, 1:41.1 back.

Italy, France Trail Early

The same cold but good conditions prevailed for the twenty teams in the mixed relay. Sweden led after the first prone stage, with Austria a second back. At the first exchange, Anna Gandler tagged first, with Justine Braisaz-Bouchet a second back and Italy 25 second back after Wierer used five spares.

Braisaz-Bouchet used a spare to clean prone but Austria’s Anna Juppe went 5-for-5, retaining the lead, with Vittozzi moving Italy up to third as they left the standing stage.

Oscar Lombardot left the second exchange 27 seconds up on Hofer. The French second leg cleaned prone and was gone before anyone else. Five centered standing shots retained the lead but it dropped to 16 seconds as Hofer shot quickly and clean in second.

Giacomel Dominates Anchor Leg

Quentin Fillon Maillet left the last exchange 14 seconds up on Giacomel. Giacomel got the edge in prone, using one spare to clean while Fillon Maillet needed two, 4 seconds back. The young Italian opened a huge gap, then shot brilliantly fast in standing, guaranteeing the victory over France. The USA and Czechia battled for third until Krcmar unleashed a final sprint on the last uphill, burying his rival, sealing third for the home team.

Photos: IBU/Jaroslav Svoboda, Yevchenko, Nordic Focus