Germany and Norway win Relays in Martell

The German women's team, after a close competition with France, and the Norwegian men's team, with only one reload, emerged as the Relay winners at the IBU Open European Championships in Martell-Val Martello.

Germany wins a close fight with France

Johanna Puff anchored Germany’s Relay to a gold medal in a dramatic conclusion to the women’s competitions at the IBU Open European Championships in Martell-Val Martello. Puff, Stefanie Scherer, Anna Weidel, and Marlene Fichtner used nine spare bullets for a win in 1:14:04.2 With a victory in the Individual, Puff collected her second gold medal in Martell. Fichtner won silver in the Individual and also finished the week with two medals.

THE WINNER’S WORDS - STEFANIE SCHERER, JOHANNA PUFF

This is such a beautiful medal! I opened the Relay and wanted to be as close to first place as possible. I did everything I could to avoid giving my teammates a ‘mortgage’ that would make their legs more difficult. (Scherer, 1st leg Germany)

Marlene (Fichtner) brought me a co-lead with France and went head-to-head with Gillone (Guigonnat). I hit all 50 targets in my three individual competitions and knew I would have an edge over Gillone on the shooting range. Our skis were flying today! (Puff, anchor for Germany)

France (C. Bened, A. Mengin, S. Chauveau, G. Guigonnat), with one penalty loop and 11 reloads, finished second, 22.3 seconds behind Germany. Italy (R. Passler, I. Scattolo, B. Schoelzhorn, L. Zingerle), with one penalty loop and nine reloads, finished in third place, 41.4 seconds behind the winners.

Header iconOECH Martell-Val Martello_Relays

Just one reload for a phenomenal Norway

Isak Frey brought home phenomenal teamwork, securing victory with a time of 1:16:00.1. The Vetle Sjaastad Christiansen, Sverre Dahlen Aspenes, Sivert Guttorm Bakken, and Frey demonstrated outstanding precision, needing only one spare bullet throughout the race.

THE WINNER’S WORDS - VETLE SJAASTAD CHRISTIANSEN, ISAK FREY

I used my strength on the flat parts and tried to bring as much lead to Sverre (Dahlen Aspenes) as possible. In the end, I was the only Norwegian with one reload. I need to do better next time! (V.S. Christiansen - opening leg)

It was an incredible team performance. I was alone on the tracks. I kept focus and tried to do as well as my teammates before me. Four athletes from the same team rarely have a perfect day on the same day. (I. Frey - anchor)

Germany (L. Fratzscher, S. Kaiser, R. Rees, D. Zobel) claimed second place, finishing 2:06.9 behind despite using 12 spare rounds and skiing one penalty loop. France (T. Guiraud Poillot, G. Paturel, O. Lombardot, R. Broutier) completed the podium, crossing the finish line 2:36.2 after Norway, with 17 spare rounds and two penalty loops.

Norway was the most decorated nation with six medals; three were golds.

Sjusjoen, Norway will host the IBU Open European Championships in 2025/2026.

Photo: C. Manzoni: IBU Photo Pool

Share this article

Header iconSign up for our newsletter