Norway’s Johannes Thingnes Boe and Marte Olsbu Røiseland teamed up to win the Gold medal in the IBU World Championships Single Mixed relay this afternoon. The wining duo used just six spare rounds in their 43:19.9 victory. Norway with Johannes also on the anchor leg won last Thursday’s mixed relay. The German team of Franziska Preuss and Erik Lesser won the Silver medal, with five spare rounds, 17.6 seconds back. France’s Emilien Jacquelin came back in the last standing stage to give him and Anais Bescond the Bronze medal, with four spare rounds, 29.8 seconds back.

Sweden, with seven spares finished fourth, 35.2 seconds back. Switzerland, with nine spares was fourth, 40.6 seconds back. Austria, with four spares finished sixth, 54.5 seconds back.

Fast Paced First LoopThe clouds again kept the sun away for today’s competition, with the temperature at -1C and once again, wind crossing the shooting range from left to right. Olsbu Røiseland and Sweden’s Hanna Oeberg set a fast pace out of the stadium right from the start. Oeberg and Preuss shot fast and clean in their first prone to grab the early lead. Olsbu Røiseland used a spare to leave 10 seconds back, which she regained by the time they came to the standing stage. She cleaned standing with ease to tag Johannes first with the Swiss team second, followed by Oeberg and Bescond.

Spare Rounds for NorwayJohannes quickly pulled 10 seconds ahead by prone but lost it all with a spare round, allowing Benjamin Weger and Lesser to leave on his shoulder. Both of his rivals stayed with the Norwegian into the standing stage. Weger cleaned first with Lesser also at about the same time, while Johannes used two spares, falling 6 seconds back.

Haecki and PreussSwitzerland’s Lena Haecki and Preuss set the pace in their second leg, with Oeberg next. Olsbu Røiseland cleaned first in the prone stage with Haecki and Oeberg now on her shoulder. The top four which now included Italy’s Dorothea Wierer came to the standing stage together. Preuss closed her five targets first with Haecki and Olsbu Røiseland just a split second back. Wierer ended up with a penalty, falling out of the medal chase.

Johannes Cleans Standing; Secures the Win

The German veteran skied aggressively ahead of Johannes and Weger over the next 1.5 km, separating the trio from the field. Johannes’ prone stage was not as fast as the German with both were perfect. Samuelsson cleaned to get up to third 10 seconds back. Johannes pushed hard, leaving Lesser and Samuelsson 4 and 12 back coming to the last standing stage. Johannes cleaned first to secure the Gold medal while Lesser used one spare; they went out 1-2. Samuelsson missed two shots while Jacquelin cleaned to move into a medal spot with 1500 meters to go.

Norway, Germany and France

The last loop was all Norway with Johannes at full speed, claiming its third Gold medal. Lesser crossed in the Silver medal spot, while Jacquelin after losing a ski pole just after the standing stage, powered home in the Bronze spot. in his only IBU WCH appearance, brought Germany its third Silver medal.

Photos: IBU/Petr Slavik, Christian Manzoni