The best chance for a medal was a spectacular failure – Mari Eder missed half of her shots in the sprint: “Heavy – affects my whole WC”

If the shooting was correct, Mari Eder was expected to be able to reach high in the WC sprint. But on the embankment it was not at all right – and the Finn will miss at least one of the upcoming races. Sweden struck with two podium places in the race.

As one of the fastest riders in the starting field, Finnish expectations were high for Mari Eder in the women’s WC sprint.

A fifth place in Annecy earlier this winter showed that the capacity is there. But to shine in sprints, dazzling shooting is required.

Mari Eder’s shooting in Oberhof was far from dazzling. Instead, there were two hurdles in the prone position and three in the standing position – and Eder finished in a modest 69th place, just over three minutes behind the lead.

– It didn’t feel as bad as it was, but the result is what it is and you can’t take it any longer, says the Finn about the feeling on the embankment.

Heavy consequences for the future

In the track, Eder felt stronger than in Wednesday’s mixed relay. The analysis of the nightmare shooting reads as follows:

– In lying slim shot past to the right. It was blowing that way and I tried to adapt.

– Standing didn’t feel as bad as it was. The misses barely came under the board and I perhaps lost the position a little.

Unfortunately, today’s flop could have major consequences for her entire WC. Eder was far from a place among the top 60 who are allowed to ride in the pursuit start – and with her position in the overall cup, it is not at all said that she will get a ranking place for the mass start.

– This was a heavy disappointment, which affects my entire WC. It looks bad, notes Eder.

Double Swedish on the podium

A Finn, on the other hand, is allowed to ride at the start of the hunt. Suvi Minkkinen describes his effort – which was enough for a 35th place – as “okay”.

– It’s good that I can get up to my own basic level here. Getting to ride in the pursuit start at WC level will be something new for me.

Venla Lehtonen also looked to be on her way to a place in the top 60, but she broke off on the last lap. Nastassia Kinnunen was 61st.

The German crowd was responsible for the biggest cheer of the day when Hanna Öberg was a few meters from the goal line. It was then that it became clear that the Swede would not beat home favorite Denise Herrmann-Wick’s time.

The home winner beat Öberg by 2.2 seconds. The bronze also went to Sweden through Linn Persson, who, just like the other medalists, was flawless on the fence.

– I am very pleased with my race and with the action on the shooting range. They were the last two seconds that were missing at the end, otherwise it was perfect, says Öberg to SVT.

The gala sprint was long-awaited for the blue and yellow. The last Swedish WC medal in a women’s sprint came in 2007.

– The team effort is awesome today. Two medals is indescribably great, says national team captain Johannes Lukas.