Olympic silver for Sweden in the women’s biathlon relay

Sweden’s women’s biathlon won Olympic gold in 2022 and chased its fifth consecutive championship medal in the relay.

They succeeded. It was silver.

The Swedish women’s biathlon team is one of the best in the world. The Italian Alps Olympic team finished third, fifth and sixth overall in the World Cup – Anna Magnusson, Hanna Öberg and Elvira Öberg. Also the experienced but injured Linn Gestblom, formerly Persson.

But the results at the Olympic Games have so far been lacking.

Anna Magnusson and Hanna Öberg was certainly strong in the opening mixed relay (Sweden fifth) in Antholz. But before the relay on Wednesday, Hanna Öberg’s eighth place in the pursuit start was the best individual result, while Linn Gestblom, somewhat unexpectedly, achieved the even result.

The driving style (and the skis?) failed for the Swedes. Booms had dashed hopes.

Before the Olympics, the women’s relay was considered Sweden’s best chance for gold. Before Wednesday it was more a question of which team could challenge France.

Gestblom went looking The biathlon Swedes won their first medal at these Olympics as they were forced to take an extra shot in the prone stage. She even had to take an extra shot in the standing stage, but when the ride was over – and with France’s Camille Bened surprisingly suffering a penalty in the first leg – she was able to switch to Magnusson in the lead, five seconds ahead of Germany and Bulgaria.

Magnusson was first in the prone stage, but the barriers came up and the Swede had to take a penalty loop and left the range 35 seconds ahead of the lead.

But Magnusson ran well and she didn’t miss a single shot in the standing stage. At the same time, others missed.

Sweden was in the game again and Magnusson was in fifth place when she joined Elvira Öberg, 24 seconds behind the leading Latvian.

Elvira Öberg took her time shooting, lost some time there, hit all her shots, was the fastest of all in the second round and brought Sweden up in the results list. Elvira Öberg switched to her sister Hanna in second place on the last stretch – but the gap to gold place was long – 47 seconds.

France came out on top after a great attack from Océane Michelon.

– It was really a very good starting position in the fight for the medals. France was a little ahead, so my main focus was on getting silver. But I am very happy with having Hanna Öberg on TV4.

France, who came sixth At the Olympic relay in Beijing four years ago, Julia had Simon on the final leg. She didn’t let up. In the prone stage she shot at full power in 20 seconds and extended her lead. Hanna Öberg had to make an extra throw, but she was also quick and completed her series in 27 seconds.

There was one last shooting left and Sweden took silver. Hanna Öberg drove alone on the route, well ahead of the Norwegian Maren Kirkeeide.

Simon also shot fully while standing and was able to ride calmly towards the gold.

Hanna Öberg missed a shot, but she was like lying down, she was lightning fast.

– Fantastic what a fighter Hanna Öberg is. I’m impressed with her. “In the pressure situation, she knew she had to deliver,” Swedish shooting coach Johan Hagström tells HBO Max.

Hanna Öberg herself for the last shot:

– I’m going into the race with good self-confidence and know where my strengths lie in the final series. “Keeping a fast pace benefits me,” she tells TV4.

However, Kirkeeide remained standing on the mat. Had to take two additional shots and clearly lost to the Swede. The gap was suddenly just over 20 seconds.

The ending was undramatic. Only a fall could keep Sweden from the silver medal. Hanna Öberg was on skis and was able to celebrate with the rest of the team in the finish area.

The text is updated.

Read more:

Fourcade enjoys French dominance: “Fighted for my sport for two decades”

Linn Gestblom in the relay team: “I didn’t expect to run anything at all”

“There is not just one body type that works in biathlon”

Elvira Öberg: “It’s scary to let go of control”