Dorothea Wierer and Lisa Vittozzi still on the podium

Twenty-four hours is still a second place for Italy: Tommaso Giacomel, Lukas Hofer, Dorothea Wierer and Lisa Vittozzi take an excellent second place in the mixed relay behind France (Jacquelin / Perrot / Braisaz / Jeanmonnot) who wins using only six reloads in 1:05’16″5. But just behind (+25″2) is Italy (8 reloads): four excellent fractions on skis, a near-perfect performance by Hofer and excellent signs in the shot put by Wierer and Vittozzi, authors of masterful sessions. The difference with France is all in a few extra charges used, especially on the feet in the two odd fractions. Norway (Stromshein/Botn/Knotten/Tandrevold) is third at 1’05 with one lap and seven more reloads. Finland and Czechia occupy the positions just behind the podium, with the United States excellent sixth.

There could not have been a better start to the World Cup: two podiums in as many days of competition represent the ideal launch to the Olympic appointment. Tommaso Giacomel completes in front of everyone in the throwing frazioe with four reloads used. The Trentino’s ground range was good; the three reloads in the standing session demanded a surplus of attention, but in the final round the first-timer caught up with all the runaways to take the lead in the changeover zone just ahead of France, Germany and Norway. Sweden lags behind by about 50 seconds with Nelin forced to turn. Lukas Hofer wisely manages his energy on the opening lap and shows off an excellent, error-free ground range that propels him momentarily into the lead, over Perrot’s France and Botn’s Norway. The South Tyrolean repeated himself on the feet as well, capping an immaculate fraction that allowed him to stay in arm’s length with Norway, France and the United States of an excellent Wright. Meanwhile, two more penalty laps for Sweden with Ponsiluoma. Botn and Wright stretch a few seconds, but Luki is third at 5″5. Behind the gaps widen, with Finland fifth at 51″8; at the halfway point Germany pays 1’15, Sweden 2’15.

The second half of the race is women’s. Dorothea Wierer in the company of Justine Braisaz closes quickly on Knotten and then gives a masterful polygon on the ground (21″8) that guarantees her 5″9 on Knotten and over 30″ on Braisaz. After a solo round, Wierer runs into some difficulty on her feet but makes the most of her three reloads to keep Norway and France in touch. Knotten and Braisaz take some margin and at the last change Norway and France boast 10″ on Italy. Hettich leads Germany into fourth place, but at over a minute. Lisa Vittozzi chases in the first round but more than halves the gap on Jeanmonnot with a splendid ground range (22″2) and chases with Tandrevold until the final range, with Jeanmonnot stringing 5 out of 5 while Lisa slams on the last target after four volley centers. Some fretting on the reload but second place is now on ice.