In Saturday’s mixed relay, there were two clear favourites from the outset: Italy and France, the only teams that brought all of their top athletes to the Czech stage.
The core of the Norwegian men’s team skipped Nove Mesto, as did the leaders of the Swedish women’s squad. Italy, fielding Tommaso Giacomel, Lukas Hofer, Lisa Vittozzi and Dorothea Wierer, proved stronger than the French quartet and claimed the win.
Sweden and Norway, despite missing their stars, delivered solid performances but fell short of podium contention. The United States had a real chance to repeat their success from five years ago, but were beaten by the Czech team, much to the delight of the home crowd.
In the single mixed relay, success depended on finding two strong — and, crucially, accurate — athletes.
Germany seemed to have done exactly that. Absolute World Cup debutant Leonard Pfund and season debutant Marlene Fichtner produced an outstanding performance. However, the German team was ultimately disqualified for incorrect and dangerous handling of their rifles on the range.
The victory therefore went to Finland, thanks to Suvi Minkkinen and Tero Seppälä. France and Norway finished second and third.
Two victories — in the individual and the mass start — allowed Eric Perrot to overtake Tommaso Giacomel in the men’s overall standings and claim the yellow bib. The Frenchman now leads by 37 points.
Giacomel did not collapse, but even two tenth-place finishes were not enough to defend his advantage.
In the women’s competition, the overall picture is far less dramatic. Lou Jeanmonnot finished second and fourth in the individual races and has built a commanding lead — 200 points clear of Suvi Minkkinen, and 300 points ahead of both Maren Kirkeeide and Hanna Oeberg.
There are still 11 individual races to come, but unless major disruptions occur — such as missed stages — it will be very difficult to overturn such a significant advantage.
