After winning the Nove Mesto Mixed Relay two weeks ago, the Italian team of Tommaso Giacomel, Lukas Hofer, Dorothea Wierer and Lisa Vittozzi were under huge pressure to deliver an Olympic Mixed Relay medal in their home stadium today. With media, friends, family, all cheering every moment as they stayed in the medal hunt and won Olympic Silver.

Today’s Silver was the third Olympic Mixed Relay medal for the team’s veterans, Wierer and Hofer who won Bronze in Sochi and Pyeongchang. The duo grew up together in the Sudtirol Arena, with these Games the last hurrah for Wierer who will retire in a couple of weeks.

“I was so nervous…shaking”

The always chatty Wierer admittedly felt the pressure and expectations. “It’s crazy. I was so nervous today; I was shaking before the race. I was under so much pressure, I was shaking. I knew we had some chances for a medal. When Lukas gave me the exchange, we were in a really good position. It was not easy to handle, but it was great to catch a medal in the first competition. I am so happy for our team and all the people behind the scenes who are working for us…It’s a nice beginning and not easy (winning a medal) at home.”

“I never felt tension like this”

Hofer also felt the pressure. “I feel like 20 kilos lighter now, because I had such high tension. It was crazy how much nerves I felt yesterday in training. In the race, I was excited. I tried to stay in control until shot 9 and 10, I never felt tension like this today, I took a bit more time to hit them to stay close to the medals…It was nice to hand over to Doro since I knew it was her last mixed relay. Two old guys still competing in front of this crazy crowd makes me happy…No words to describe today; just amazing!”

“We are both strong personalities”

Leadoff leg Giacomel, with his first Olympic medal, was very appreciative of Wierer and her experience. “She has taught me a lot in all these years and not just as a biathlete. I feel really close to her even though sometimes it is quite difficult because we are both strong personalities. I am really thankful for all she has taught me.”

Vittozzi, “had to play my card in the last shooting”

Anchor leg Vittozzi sealed the Silver medal with a mind game on the range. “I knew I could shoot faster than the others (Maren Kirkeeide and Franziska Preuss). I tried to put some pressure on them. It was in my mind that I had to play my card in the last shooting. after the third target, I took another breath and shot clean. I did not watch them, but my trainer said they were on the penalty loop. It was good news!”

And with that, Italy overcame the pressure and brought a Silver medal home!

Photos: IBU/Vianny Thibaut, Ola Wizor, Nordic Focus