Soerum Sprints to Norwegian Mixed Relay Win
Norway’s Vebjoern Soerum, after leaving the last standing stage 14.6 seconds off the lead, put on a furious last loop, sprinting past the fading Emilien Jacquelin of France in the last 5 meters to win the Kontiolahti Mixed Relay in 1:09:59.6. Norway used 10 spare rounds avenging their mixed relay defeat by the French squad at last season’s IBU World Championships.
“Great to be first across the line”
Soerum who has spent much of his career on the IBU cup circuit opened the season with a bang anchoring Norway to victory, despite struggling in the last standing stage. “It was nothing I expected after the last shooting. I was trying to reach the Swede and then right before the finish line, I saw Jacquelin. He was really tired I guess, me as well. So. I tried everything I could, and it was so great to be first across the finish line.”
After his spectacular finish, the 26-year-old with just 19 World Cup starts smiled, adding, “It gives me great motivation. I am already looking forward to the next races.”
Second-place France finished .8 seconds back with four spare rounds. Sweden finished third, 21.5 seconds back with seven spare rounds.
It was snowing lightly and then heavily as darkness set in by the time the mixed relay started. The snow slowed the tracks and brought in ever-stronger winds on the range as the competition progressed.
Photos: IBU/Romans Koksarovs, Nordic Focus/Christian Manzoni
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