In Kontiolahti, Finland, the biathletes started the new season. The first two races of women and men were contested in individual with four times shooting and a 20Km and 15Km course respectively. The first competition was won by Martin Ponsiluoma from Sweden with only one mistake and a strong performance on the track, ahead of the newcomer from Switzerland Niklas Hartweg, who convinced with a faultless shooting. Third place also went to Germany's David Zobel with a flawless performance. In the women's race Hanna Oeberg won ahead of Ingrid Tandrevold from Norway and Lisa Vitozzi from Italy.
In the relays, the Norwegians in the men's race and the Swedes in the women's race lived up to their role as favorites. The relay team around KinetiXx athlete Johannes Boe won the race. In the women's race, however, there was no getting past the Swedish girls. Second place in both the women's and men's races went to the teams from Germany. The French men's relay team came in third, while the Norwegians fought their way onto the podium in the women's race.
In the sprint Johannes Thingnes Boe was able to show his strength, he won the sprint with one mistake as well as the pursuit ahead of his team mate Sturla Laegreid, who was not able to pass Johannes twice. Third place in the sprint went to Roman Rees, who had to be replaced in the pursuit by Frenchman Emilien Jacquelin. In the women's race KinetiXx athlete Julia Simon won the pursuit, her team mate Caroline Colombo worked her way up from 24th place in the sprint to a great sixth place in the pursuit with a clean shooting.
In Lillehammer, Norway, the Cross-Country World Cup was held this weekend, where the new KinetiXx athlete Paal Golberg won the 20Km mass start.
Also held in Lillehammer was the Nordic combined. Another new member of the KinetiXx team: Norwegian Nordic combined athlete Jens Luraas Oftebro. At the home World Cup in Norway, he won the first competition and finished second on the large hill.
Photo:K.Voigt Photography