Botn and Erdal win Sprint 2 in Arber

Johan Olav Botn Karoline Erdal, both of Norway and with 10/10, won in the Sprint 2 at the IBU Cup in Arber.

Botn won for the seventh time in 2023/2024. It is Erdal’s second IBU Cup win of the season.

Botn's masterclass

Botn, the fastest skier of the day, had a measured first lap for his standards, but once the five prone targets went down, he let the skis fly and won in 25: 02.3. His teammate Martin Uldal, with 9/10, finished second, 38.5 seconds behind. Simon Kaiser of Germany, with 10/10, was the only non-Norwegian in the Top 6: he finished third, 1:21.2 back.

The Winner's Words - Johan Olav Botn

I am really pleased with my performance today. It was a well-balanced biathlon. I have been struggling with my prone shooting in the first weeks after Christmas. It was important for me to close this part of the season with 10/10.

Watch the Highlights here

Mats Oeverby (1:22.4 back), Isak Frey (1:31.3 back), and Martin Nevland (1:32.5 back), all from Norway and with two misses, took places four, five, and six.

Botn extended his Total Score lead to 180 points over Mats Oeverby.

Managing energy smartly, Erdal wins

Erdal, one of only three clean shooters of the day, had a steady first half of the race as she clocked the eighth-fastest time after the first shooting. She switched gears after the standing shooting and won in 21:22.0. Camille Bened of France, with 9/10, finished second, 15.2 seconds behind Erdal. Lea Rothschopf of Austria, with one miss, achieved her first-ever IBU Cup podium with third place, 28.4 seconds back.

The Winner's Words - Karoline Erdal

I used the information from the first Sprint - to use energy rationally - very well today. The wind was fairly challenging, but I focused well on the shooting range. I am very happy with this win.

Watch the highlights here

Ella Halvarsson of Sweden, with 10/10, finished fourth, 35.8 seconds behind the winner and five seconds ahead of Dunja Zdouc of Austria (with 9/10) in fifth place. Beatrice Trabucchi of Italy, with one miss, completed the Flower ceremony in sixth place, 44.4 seconds behind Erdal.

Jenny Enodd has 593 points atop the Total Score standings, four more than Maren Kirkeeide in the second place.