Sweden won a dramatic mixed relay in Otepää. Before the last shooting, three nations were competing for the win. Elvira Öberg slowed down the pace significantly and shifted down to first gear.
Elvira Öberg was the strongest in the shooting and led Sweden to a clear victory. Sweden's team consisted of Viktor Brandt, Martin Ponsiluoma, Anna-Karin Heijdenberg, and Elvira Öberg. According to Aftonbladet, Sweden was forced to a penalty loop and needed 14 extra shots, but still managed to win the mixed relay in Otepää.
Aftonbladet states it was windy in Otepää, and many favorite nations had a tough time on the shooting range. Aftonbladet reports that Germany and France were forced to four penalty loops, and Italy to five. Aftonbladet notes that Sweden managed to keep the number of penalty loops down and secured the win.
That is something you almost never see at this level.
Aftonbladet adds that everything was decided on the last shooting. The exact number of penalty loops Sweden incurred in Otepää, and how this compares to other nations, has not been disclosed. ' Elvira Öberg tested her unexpected move the day before the race.
Martin Ponsiluoma criticized Elvira Öberg's move, saying she wouldn't do it the next day. Elvira Öberg responded, 'I tested it a bit yesterday. Martin (Ponsiluoma) criticized me and said 'you won't do that tomorrow'.
' Elvira Öberg's move is advantageous because it prevents the legs from becoming as stiff. ' during the event. The final times or margins of victory for Sweden in the mixed relays in Otepää and Kontiolax remain unknown.
I tested it a bit yesterday. Martin (Ponsiluoma) criticized me and said 'you won't do that tomorrow'. But you don't get as stiff in the thighs so it's still quite advantageous.
In the last relay at the Olympics, it was a bronze, with Viktor Brandt in the team winning his first Olympic medal. According to Aftonbladet, in the Olympics, the Swedish men's biathlon team took bronze in the relay. In the next relay in Kontiolax, it did not go as well, at least not for Brandt.
According to Aftonbladet, on Saturday in the World Cup in Kontiolax, there was a new third place. There are contradictory accounts regarding Sweden's performance in the relay in Kontiolax. Expressen Sport reports that Sweden risked being disqualified from the relay in Kontiolax, but after almost flawless shooting, they took home the win.
In contrast, SVT Sport states that in the relay in Kontiolax, it did not go as well, at least not for Viktor Brandt. The specific incident or rule violation that caused Sweden to risk disqualification in the Kontiolax relay has not been determined. Why the relay in Kontiolax did not go as well for Viktor Brandt, and what his exact performance issue was, is unclear.
The World Cup in biathlon ends next week. Detailed results or standings for the World Cup after these events have not been provided.