Absurd Images of Tandrevold: – She Could Be Disqualified

– I have never experienced anything like this before, says Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold to NRK.

It was yet another dramatic day at work for Tandrevold. She started well in the sprint in Anterselva, but just before her second shooting, trouble struck. A sling on her rifle broke, forcing her to carry the rifle into the shooting range.

– What happened was that I was going up the last slope. Suddenly the gun just fell off me. The whole back part here came loose. I had to take the gun in my hand, take off the sticks, and carry it in, explains the biathlete.

Received a Warning

Later, after the race, the jury convened to discuss the incident. According to the rules, handling the rifle should occur on the shooting mat, but Tandrevold stepped slightly off the mat when she exchanged her gun.

Tandrevold escapes with a warning, says IBU Communications Director Christian Winkler to NRK.

– She approached the judge who gave her the new rifle, and by doing so, she inadvertently left the mat. Ultimately, the jury determined that it was a breach of regulations and that we take safety seriously, so it will be a warning, he adds.

NO CONSEQUENCES FOR TANDEVOLD

This does not have any practical consequences for Tandrevold.

– It is also a warning where we say that we are keeping an eye on what happens at the shooting range, says Winkler.

– Ingrid did 99% right, and when she reached for the new rifle, it wasn’t perfect, so in the end, nothing happened and she did as well as she could, he continues.

When NRK informed Tandrevold that the jury was considering disqualification for her action on the mat, she was shocked.

– Huh? What do you mean? If they disqualify me for that… then… I can’t handle that. I don’t believe I deserve that. I really want to have this standing before the pursuit start, she says.

Taking the Positive Along

Despite the unfortunate events, Tandrevold takes something positive from yet another unlucky day.

– I’m actually quite impressed that I hit four targets. It’s already a tough start here, and when you have to go uphill with the last stretch and carry a rifle where half of it is hanging loose, it becomes quite difficult, especially when the sling comes off. The balance of the gun becomes very different, very front-heavy, and it’s tough to shoot standing, says Tandrevold.

She hopes this will be her last mishap of the season, having already missed races and struggled with heart arrhythmias on two occasions.

– It has definitely been a bit of a rough season so far. There’s no denying that. But isn't it kind of how it goes? It’s a bit like Murphy’s law in a way. If something goes wrong, it tends to happen often, says the 28-year-old.

THIS IS ABSURD

Images of Tandrevold with her rifle trailing behind her surprised experts.

– This is absolutely awful, exclaimed Marte Olsbu Røiseland.

There was no talk of any fall, which was initially suspected among commentators.

– It wasn’t pretty that she came out with the muzzle pointing upward, said NRK’s expert Ola Lunde during the broadcast.

After the race, he asserted that the jury made the right decision.

– It’s entirely correct not to disqualify Tandrevold when it’s that marginal, says Lunde.

TROUBLE: Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold faced misfortune once again.

Photo: Hanne Skjellum / NRK

She maintains her innocence regarding the incident.

– I cannot understand what I did wrong. The only thing could have been pointing the weapon in a direction it shouldn't be. That’s the only mistake I might have made. I shot with the weapon I had, and got a new reserve rifle before I went out to shoot, so at least no one can say I benefitted from it, says Tandrevold.

DANGER: Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold was unlucky once again.

Photo: Henrik Myhr Nielsen / NRK

Furthermore, her teammate Karoline Knotten was surprised to see Tandrevold struggling. She witnessed the episode during warm-ups on the big screen.

– I’m incredibly impressed she only missed one there. That looked very difficult, says Knotten.

– It shouldn’t happen in a competition, so it was really disappointing for her. I hope she didn’t lose too much from it, she adds.

A Special Tandrevold Season

Tandrevold sat out all the races in Ruhpolding to spend time at high altitude in Anterselva instead. Therefore, one would assume she was well-prepared for the sprint.

She started well, but suddenly drama occurred. She struggled with her rifle and had to switch to a reserve one shortly after standing shooting. She hit four out of five targets there. In the prone position, the Norwegian biathlete hit all her targets.

It has been quite an unusual season for the biathlete, experiencing heart rhythm disturbances in two consecutive races in Kontiolahti. Now another dramatic event has struck.

Several Norwegians were in action in Italy, including Maren Kirkeeide, Ida Lien, Karoline Knotten, and Ragnhild Femsteinevik, who were all participating in what will eventually be the Olympic course. None achieved top results.

Kirkeeide ended up being the best Norwegian again, finishing in 12th place.

– I feel fine. It’s very heavy to go, but it seems like it went alright, she tells NRK.

It was Frenchwoman Lou Jeanmonnot who took home the victory in Anterselva.