Norway was almost hopelessly mired in 11th position, after second leg Johannes Dale-Skjevdal picked up two penalties, but rebounded with strong third leg by Martin Uldal and a finish straightaway sprint by anchor Vetle Sjaastad Christiansen sealing a 1:20:29.1 win in the Oberhof Men’s 4 X 7.5 km Relay this morning. The trio and leadoff leg Isaak Leknes Frey finished with the two penalties and seven spares in their third relay win of the season.

“We won for our fifth guy today”

Christiansen, after a tough week, came out on top in a thrilling relay that found Norway, France, Sweden and Germany, all battling for the win until the last standing stage and loop where he bested young Eric Perrot in the final few hundred meters. “It was the most exciting relay for years. I am used to having maybe one minute advantage on the last leg, but we were five, six guys fighting for the victory, so it was exciting for the spectators. It was special for us, regarding the circumstances we are in. I had some extra energy; the last couple of days have been tough. It totally drained all of the energy out of my body, but I am slowly getting back. We won for our fifth guy today!”

France, also far back in 14th after Emilien Jacquelin’s two penalties, clawed their way back into contention with anchor Perrot, dueling Christiansen on the last loop and bringing them home second, 2.6 seconds back with two penalties and nine spares. Sweden, with ten spares finished third, 3.8 seconds back.

Italy with a penalty and nine spares finished fourth, 4.8 seconds back. Germany finished fifth, with ten spares, 5.4 seconds back and Czechia, with eight spares finished sixth, 25.5 seconds back.

Norway and France Falter

After a wild day on the range yesterday, the wind calmed for today’s competitions although it remained a cold, but very sunny minus nine at the start. Frey led through the first leg, but tagged Dale-Skjevdal a half-step after Jacquelin left in the top spot.

Jacquelin faltered in prone, picking up two penalties while the Norwegian earned two in standing, dropping them 1:15 and 53 second off the lead. Uldal’s outstanding third leg moved the Norwegians back in contention, just as Martin Ponsiluoma, and Quentin Fillon Maillet did for their teams.

Four-team Battle

Christiansen, Sebastian Samuelsson, and Germany’s David Zobel left the final exchange in a dead heat, with Perrot lurking 18 seconds in arrears. Zobel cleaned prone in five shots, while Christiansen and Perrot used spares, 8 seconds back. Samuelsson used all three spares fell 24 seconds back. Perrot cleaned standing with two spares, while Christiansen, Zobel and Samuelsson also needed extra shots, leaving 4, 7, and 9 seconds back.

Christiansen and Perrot duelled over the last loop, as Samuelsson moved to third. Coming down the last few hundred meters of the long finishing straight, Christiansen got the edge on Perrot, sprinting to victory.

Photos: IBU/Heilwagen, Yevenko, Nordic Focus