For the third time in a row, the Skidskyttekampen public party was held in Stockholm.
Just over 7,000 people braved the cold in the stadium on Monday evening – and were able to see the Norwegian team with Vetle Sjåstad Christiansen and Juni Arnekleiv win ahead of their national team mates Martin Uldal and Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold.
The main competition was decided as a lightning-fast single mixed relay.
Best and only Swedish team in the final? The star couple Martin Ponsiluoma/Hanna Öberg – in fifth place.
The Olympic Friends Sebastian Samuelsson/Elvira Öberg did not advance from qualifying. Neither did the third Swedish team, Jesper Nelin/Anna Magnusson – and there were no individual podium places either.
– It is clear that we would have liked more and had a very good placement in the middle of the (season) finale. But in the end a few shots slipped out, says Hanna Öberg.
Partner Martin Ponsiluoma, newly crowned Olympic gold medalist in the pursuit start, adds:
– It’s still a bit sad, the others did incredibly well on the last stretch. In the end they were impressed.
Was it particularly annoying that Norway won here in Stockholm?
– Really. It’s never a highlight. “I would have liked to see Finland or something like that come to the top,” replies Ponsiluoma, laughing.
Yes, the last one will do it taken with a pinch of salt.
Missing the podium at the Stockholm Stadium is different than being left out of the World Cup or the Olympics.
The Swedish stars were clear that they were there, above all, to have fun and put on a show.
– This is a very nice start to the last three weeks of the season to have a really entertaining competition like this. I find it annoying that the audience is cheering us on even more. There is a lot of energy, says Hanna Öberg.
The Norwegian winner Vetle Sjåstad Christiansen also enjoyed the moment, but couldn’t help but send a cock back to Ponsiluoma.
– That was sad for him, but for us there is nothing better. “It’s a fantastic feeling in the body now,” says Sjåstad Christiansen.
– There’s probably nothing he hates more than us, and maybe especially me, who beat him in the end. I told him before the last piece: “Now Hanna is fine, so now the pressure is on you.”
So you upset him a little?
– I did my best, says Vetle Sjåstad Christiansen and grins.
– But “Ponsi” definitely has a psyche. We (Norwegians) had a very good day and we love show competitions like this.
The victory earned the Norwegian team 15,000 euros, the equivalent of around 160,000 crowns, for their participation.
Finland came third with Tero Seppälä and Suvi Minkkinen.
Later this week, the Biathlon World Cup restarts after the Olympic Games in Kontiolax, Finland.
Read more:
Here Sweden wins Olympic bronze – 16 years too late: “Finally”
