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City biathlon in Dresden despite the rain! Bö and Strelow have a hot fight

Successful premiere! Most of the world's best biathletes came to Dresden and delivered thrilling duels.

Dresden- “This is your family,” said Johannes Thingnes Bö at the press conference after the City Biathlon in Dresden to Justus Strelow. He said no. It was some of the fans (4000 in the stadium, 5000 along the track) who came to the premiere in large numbers despite the constant rain and saw how the Norwegian with the Saxony delivered a thrilling fight with super-fast shooting…

Lisa Vittozzi celebrated her victory in Dresden with the fans in the rain. © Lutz Hentschel

In the end, Strelow needed five reloads in five rounds (25 shots) to hit all the targets. The Olympic champion only needed two, and both of them set a high pace.

When Bö then explained that he had “only been in shooting training for eight days,” the Hermsdorf native’s face fell: “I still have a bit of time to train.”

The champion reassured Strelow: “Beginner’s luck.” And although the two duelled so fiercely, neither won the City Biathlon.

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When Bö was in the lead and closed the lane for the 27-year-old to overtake in the last 100 meters, Jakov Fak (Slovenia) passed behind Strelow and triumphed.

Bö came second and said: “It was difficult for everyone. It was a dynamic feeling like in winter when you're skating on ice.”

City biathlon in Dresden: World Cup overall winner Vitozzi plagued by bad luck

Johannes Thingnes Bö (l.) and Justus Strelow put on a show at the shooting range – they cleared the targets incredibly quickly.

Johannes Thingnes Bö (l.) and Justus Strelow put on a show at the shooting range – they cleared the targets incredibly quickly. © Lutz Hentschel

That's why the stars didn't risk everything on the wet ground, so as not to risk injury. World Cup overall winner Lisa Vittozzi was unlucky. Before the qualifying race, her rifle fell over, the barrel was bent, and the error rate was accordingly high.

Before the main race, the weapon was repaired and the Italian showed her class. But on the final lap, she also lost her right pole.

The German Johanna Puff overtook her: “But I knew that when she got the new stick, she would be over. Lisa deserved to win, she was by far the strongest.”

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Also because Vittozzi remained cool: “I kept my focus and hope that I have put the mishaps behind me for this season.”

Before the fourth shooting, Justus Strelow came into the stadium ahead of Johannes Thingnes Bö. His wife Elisa cheered on the Hermsdorfer.

Before the fourth shooting, Justus Strelow came into the stadium ahead of Johannes Thingnes Bö. His wife Elisa cheered on the Hermsdorfer. © Photomontage: Lutz Hentschel

Second-placed Puff praised the fans: “It's amazing how many people were standing at the side of the track, in the stadium and cheering us on. It was fun and made us want more.”

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