Biathlon World Cup Östersund: Hauser/Eder finish 5th in single mixed relay

Austria’s Lisa Hauser and Simon Eder began the Biathlon World Cup in Östersund with a strong 5th place in the single mixed relay. Eder delivered a perfect day on the range, while Hauser required four spare rounds. The Austrian pair missed the podium by only 19 seconds. The victory went to host nation Sweden, with Norway second and France third.

Austria also fielded a team in the mixed relay. The ÖSV quartet of Fredrik Mühlbacher, David Komatz, Anna Juppe and Anna Gandler finished 9th, using a total of eight spares. France won the mixed relay in 1:05:16.5 with six spares, 25.2 seconds ahead of Italy (eight spares) and 65.3 seconds ahead of Norway, which incurred one penalty loop and seven spares. Austria climbed steadily from 17th into the top ten; Juppe’s leg was the best for the team, needing just one spare and completing a clean prone stage in only 22 seconds. Austria finished 2:34.1 behind the winners.

Looking ahead, after a rest day in Östersund the program continues with the individual races: the women’s individual on Tuesday, the men’s individual on Wednesday, sprints on Friday and Saturday, and pursuits on Sunday.