You Should Know About Biathlon’s Biggest Rivalry

by
posted on February 9, 2018
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
fourcade1.jpg

These days, the biggest rivalry in biathlon is between Martin Fourcade of France (pictured above) and Norway’s top biathlon athletes—including Emil Hegle Svendsen and the Bø brothers, Tarjei and Johannes. Notably, Norway’s biathlon superstar, Ole Einar Bjørndalen, will not be competing at this year’s Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, which moves Johannes Thingnes Bø squarely into Fourcade’s sights on a quest for his first Olympic medal.

On Sunday, February 11, the men’s biathlon program begins with the 10 km sprint, an event that will determine who will be participating in the pursuit event. This will be the first of three live televised biathlon events this year at the Olympics. View the full biathlon television schedule here.

Fourcade is a force to be reckoned with in biathlon, with 12 wins in the mass start that place him head and shoulders above the rest of the pack. For example, Svendsen, the defending Olympic champion, has seven mass start victories. There’s no other biathlon athletes that have earned more than three mass start wins. Never one to be rattled, after winning his last mass start event before arriving in Pyeongchang, Fourcade remarked about how important the victory was to him.

“My race was really good. I was a bit nervous on the last bullets in prone and standing, but I was quite in control. I felt good on my skis … that was key to my success … That was good for my confidence before the Olympics.”

Bø won his 14th career victory last year at the BMW International Biathlon Union World Cup in Ostersund, Sweden. This was his first win in biathlon’s classic competition. Fourcade finished in third place with two penalties—putting him over two minutes behind.

“This is a big day for me, because I’ve been waiting for long to win in this format; it feels great to have a win in each of them,” said Bø.

Bø’s brother Tarjei had his first biathlon World Cup win when he claimed a 10 km sprint victory in Ostersund—winning by a slim margin of 0.7 seconds over Fourcade.

As for the U.S. Olympic Biathlon Team, our 10-person squad was finalized in January. On the men’s side, Leif Nordgren (Minnesota) and Russell Currier (Maine) will join Lowell Bailey, (New York), Tim Burke (New York) and Sean Doherty (New Hampshire). Female team members are Susan Dunklee (Vermont), Clare Egan (Maine), Joanne Reid (Colorado), Emily Dreissigacker (Vermont) and Maddie Phaneuf (New York).

Be sure to pay attention to Norway’s medal rankings as the Games progress, because every gold medal they miss out on will help bump up the U.S. Olympic medal count.

Learn more about biathlon here.

Lead image by Christian Bier

Latest

CMP Buynow 1
CMP Buynow 1

CMP Streamlines Legacy M1 Garand Sales With Easy ‘Buy Now’ Feature

CMP’s new fixed-price “Buy Now” system makes it easier than ever to own a legacy, non-reclaimed M1 Garand rifle.

Watchtower Firearms, Demolition Ranch Team Up For Limited-Edition DEMOLITIA Blackout 1911

Watchtower Firearms releases limited-edition double-stack 1911 chambered in 9 mm designed with input from Demolition Ranch.

Federal Ammunition Honored With National 4-H Shooting Sports Pioneer Award

Federal Ammunition receives 2025 4-H Shooting Sports Pioneer Award for over 40 years of support for youth programs.

New: Smith & Wesson M&P 15 AXE Rifles

Smith & Wesson launches the M&P 15 AXE lineup of suppressor-ready rifles with reduced gas blowback and modern features.

Review: Savage Arms Mark II & Winchester’s .21 Sharp

As demonstrated in the Savage Mark II FV-SR, Winchester’s .21 Sharp cartridge offers higher velocity and greater precision than .22 Long Rifle rounds.

Marsh Edges Stine In Canadian Showdown To Win Lapua Monarch Cup Opener

Justin Marsh edges Jake Stine by one point to win the Canadian NRA Smallbore Silhouette Nationals and first stage of the 2025 Lapua Monarch Cup.

Interests



Get the best of Shooting Sports USA delivered to your inbox.