Biathlon: Austrian women’s relay finishes fifth in Östersund season opener

Austria’s women’s biathlon relay opened the World Cup season in Östersund with a fifth-place finish. The quartet of Dunja Zdouc, Lisa Hauser, Anna Gandler, and Anna Andexer spent long stretches at or near the front, with Hauser and Gandler even leading at times.

On the final leg, anchor Anna Andexer incurred a penalty loop after a nervy last standing shooting, which put the podium out of reach. France took the victory ahead of Italy, the Czech Republic, and Sweden, with Austria ultimately crossing the line one minute off the podium.

In the men’s relay, Austria’s team of Simon Eder, David Komatz, Fredrik Mühlbacher, and Patrick Jakob ran well early—Eder and Komatz were within the podium fight—before five penalty loops across the final two legs dropped them to 19th. Norway won the men’s race, with France second and Sweden third. Mixed relays are scheduled for Sunday, followed by individual races next week in Östersund.