– We know what Sørum is good for, but what he did in the final leg is something no one else in the Norwegian team, or in the world, can do.
TV 2 expert Ole Einar Bjørndalen doesn’t hold back on the superlatives after Vebjørn Sørum delivered an incredible final leg in the mixed relay in Kontiolahti.
A relay that turned into a thriller.
Junior skier Vebjørn Sørum was ten seconds behind France’s Émilien jacquelin, 600 meters before the finish.
In the final hill and on the home stretch, Sørum showed superpowers and overtook the Frenchman.
– I am quiet pumped up with adrenaline. I can still feel my heart pounding, an keen Sørum told TV 2 after the super race.
ANCHOR: Vebjørn Sørum delivered an enormous final leg and secured the victory for Norway. Photo: Geir Olsen / NTB
– Animalistic
The drama caused the commentary booth to go wild.
– It’s the craziest thing I’ve seen. It’s the worst final leg I’ve seen, commented TV 2’s Marius Skjelbæk.
– It’s a knockout. It’s a fairytale, exclaimed Skjelbæk.
– We are witnessing one of the top three final legs in history, says TV 2 expert Ole Kristian Stoltenberg.
The anchor man also receives praise from his teammates.
– It was animalistic. Quite raw. I thought he was going to catch the Swede, but that he would catch Jacquelin was something I never imagined, says Johannes dale-Skjevdal to TV 2.
DELIVERED: Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold and Karoline Knotten did the job in the relay. Here from a previous occasion. Photo: Martin Schutt / AP / NTB
– It’s absolutely insane,followed Karoline Knotten.
TV 2 expert Petter Northug could hardly beleive what he saw in the Finnish woods.
– I never thought that was possible. What a perfect drama we experienced in the final leg. It’s almost unbelievable, but that’s how sports are, points out Northug.
This is how the drama unfolded
After Karoline Knotten and Ingrid Landmark tandrevold delivered on the frist two legs,Norway exchanged only seconds behind “söta bror.”
On the sixth shooting, Johannes Dale-Skjevdal missed four times, but saved the penalty round on the last shot.
Dale-Skjevdal started out 33 seconds behind Sweden but managed to halve the gap before sending out Vebjørn Sørum for the final leg.
Junior skier Sørum faced challenges during the prone shooting. the same happened for Swedish Martin Ponsiluoma. This allowed France and Émilien Jacquelin to come into the race for victory.
The Frenchman had a fast intermediate round and entered the final shooting with a good lead.
There, the Swede, the Norwegian, and the Frenchman all missed, but jacquelin went out with a solid lead and seemed to secure the victory.
600 meters before the finish, Sørum was ten seconds behind the Frenchman.
But in the final hill and on the home stretch, Sørum showed superpowers and overtook the Frenchman.
Interview with Ole Einar Bjørndalen: Analyzing Vebjørn Sørum’s Remarkable performance
Time.news Editor: Today, we’re thrilled to have with us Ole Einar Bjørndalen, the legendary biathlete and an expert for TV 2, to discuss the thrilling mixed relay race in Kontiolahti and the remarkable performance of junior skier Vebjørn Sørum. Ole Einar, thanks for joining us!
Ole Einar Bjørndalen: Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to discuss such an exciting event in the world of biathlon.
Time.news Editor: Let’s jump right into it.Vebjørn Sørum’s performance in that final leg was beyond remarkable. What was it that caught your attention the most during his run?
Ole einar Bjørndalen: Absolutely! Vebjørn showed extraordinary skill and composure under pressure. What was most striking was how he managed to close a ten-second gap against Émilien Jacquelin, a seasoned competitor from France, in the closing stages of the race. The way he navigated that final hill and surged ahead was nothing short of amazing.
Time.news Editor: It’s not frequently enough that we see such a dramatic finish in a relay. How would you describe the atmosphere at the moment he overtook Jacquelin?
Ole Einar Bjørndalen: The atmosphere was electric! You could feel the tension rising as Sørum approached the final stretch.His determination and focus were palpable, and when he made that move to pass Jacquelin, it was like watching a superhero in action! The crowd erupted, and you could see the adrenaline pouring out of him. it was a culmination of skill, physical conditioning, and pure willpower.
Time.news editor: Indeed, it must have been a thrilling moment for both the fans and the athletes. Now,what does this kind of performance meen for Sørum’s future in the sport?
Ole Einar Bjørndalen: It signifies a monumental breakthrough. Delivering such an exceptional performance on an international stage at a young age sets a strong foundation for a bright future. This experience will likely bolster his confidence and motivate him to continue improving. In biathlon, down the line, one exceptional race can redefine a career.
Time.news Editor: As someone with vast experience in the sport, how do you view the pressure that comes with performing in high-stakes relay events?
Ole Einar Bjørndalen: Pressure is an inherent part of competitive sports, especially in relays where the success of the team hinges on every single member’s performance. It’s crucial for athletes like Sørum to cope with that pressure. They often rely on mental training techniques, visualization, and self-talk to stay calm and focused. Vebjørn demonstrated remarkable composure, which speaks volumes about his mindset.
Time.news Editor: What advice would you give to young athletes who aspire to reach similar heights as Vebjørn?
Ole Einar Bjørndalen: I would advise them to stay disciplined and passionate about their training. It’s essential to set achievable goals and remain committed to continuous improvement. Surrounding themselves with a supportive team and learning from every experience will pave the way. And most importantly, enjoy the journey—every race is an possibility to learn and grow.
Time.news Editor: wise advice, indeed.Before we wrap up, what’s next for Vebjørn Sørum, and what can we expect from him?
ole Einar Bjørndalen: Vebjørn has a bright path ahead. The experience he’s gained from this competition is invaluable.I expect him to build on this momentum and likely become a key player for Norway in future competitions. The future is indeed promising for him, and I am excited to see how he evolves as an athlete.
Time.news Editor: Thank you so much, Ole Einar, for sharing your insights with us today. It’s always a pleasure to hear your expert thoughts on the sport.
Ole Einar Bjørndalen: Thank you! It was great to be here, and I look forward to discussing more biathlon highlights in the future!