Three Norwegian Podium Places in IBU Cup – Dale-Skjevdal Wins the Pursuit Start

On Friday, the IBU Cup pursuit start in biathlon in Italian Val Ridanna saw three Norwegian athletes making the podium. In the men’s race, Johannes Dale-Skjevdal emerged as the winner, finishing 4.2 seconds ahead of his closest rival after a tense duel with Isak Frey, who also had to complete two penalty loops. Despite missing two shots in the first standing shooting, Dale-Skjevdal managed to hold his advantage.

Paul Schommer from the USA secured third place with only one penalty loop, finishing eight seconds behind the winner. Among the Norwegian entries, Sivert Guttorm Bakken recorded a strong performance in the sprint, coming in second among his countrymen but ultimately finishing fourth after missing four shots. Additional Norwegian athletes – Johan-Olav Botn, Vetle Sjåstad Christiansen, and Sverre Dahlen Aspenes – ensured that six Norwegians were among the top ten finishers.

In the women’s class, Marthe Kråkstad Johansen climbed to second place, thereby improving her sprint result by one rank. Frenchwoman Voldiya Galmace Paulin, who had already won the sprint, went on to clinch victory in the pursuit start. Juni Arnekleiv rounded out the top five. On the men's overall IBU Cup standings, Isak Frey further extended his lead by attaining his 11th podium finish in 18 races this season, despite a relatively modest 9th place in Wednesday’s sprint – marking his weakest performance so far. The weekend’s IBU Cup competition will conclude with a mass start on Saturday.

(©NTB)