Alarming season start for Johannes Thingnes Bö: 'Now I need to wake up'

Alarming season start for Johannes Thingnes Bö: "Now I need to wake up"

Johannes Thingnes Bö, considered the best biathlete in the world, has had an uncharacteristically poor start to the season. After finishing 10th in the sprint and then 17th in the following competition, he expressed his concern, stating, "Now I must wake up!" Bö, who has won 85 World Cup races and numerous championship medals, felt a significant gap as he finished 1 minute and 40 seconds behind the leader and had five missed shots.

The World Cup season begins in just two weeks, leaving little time for improvement. Reflecting on his performance, Bö admitted, "It shows that I'm not completely ready."

Despite Bö's struggles, there are positive notes in the Norwegian team. Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold has started the season strong, winning both the sprint and the mass start in Sjusjöen, even while facing tough competition. Tanrevold assessed her performance positively, while Dorothea Wierer of Italy also achieved a strong finish, taking third place after two missed shots.

This season's challenges underline the intense pressure on elite athletes, particularly those like Bö who have set high standards for themselves.