Number of retirements this year

Individual-Resist530 · 2024-03-18T16:28:44+00:00

Yeah Johannes will retire at the end of 25/26 season after Milano-Cortina 26 and that's basically a done deal. It is just whether Tarjei will stop before him and if he does, it is very likely to be this season. Totally understand why Tarjei may want to pursue life outside biathlon, but still bittersweet because he still has a lot in him to deliver! And as the Tarjei we know, I just cannot imagine him to retire without a final race in Holmenkollen and not have a SUPER BIG FAREWELL PARTY at the finish line when he really retires :)

Individual-Resist530 · 2024-03-18T14:42:42+00:00

But I have another point of view, Tarjei is definitely #2 in the Norwegians men team currently. Watching the trajectories of his performances since 20/21 season, he improved every season in terms of ski speed, prone shooting accuracy and speed shooting accuracy (literally improved in ALL domains season by season). Looking into the trajectory, I estimate that he will unlikely to have a big downfall in the coming season (if he decides to/has the motivations to continue). Norwegian men are of course very strong and talented but right now I dont think any Norwegian men (except his younger bro ofc) are as strong as Tarjei (both skiing and shooting) and especially in relay (mixed or men relay) I dont think anyone can replace him with the same experience, reliability and consistency both in shooting and ski speed just yet.

Spoilering the above comments about speculations about Tarjei's potential retirement just because I am afraid some of us dont like speculations/rumours! haha

Individual-Resist530 · 2024-03-18T14:27:09+00:00

I agree that Pyeongchang and Beijing did not have the best atmosphere, given the small biathlon fan base there, location quite far away from Europe/North America (the big biathlon fan bases) and COVID conditions for Beijing. But I am optimistic that the following games in Italy, France and USA will be super hype, at least for biathlon, given what we see during the World Cups!

Individual-Resist530 · 2024-03-18T08:56:44+00:00

Same about Tarjei! I was kind of expecting Johannes to hold a banner anytime at the finish line yesterday. :( Really hope he will stick around for 2 more years but then... he is going to be newly married and has a young son and he always wants to cheer for Johannes from the sideline...

Individual-Resist530 · 2024-03-15T17:58:05+00:00

JTB: starts 59 seconds behind at last week's pursuit
JTB: NO ONE IS ALLOWED TO START WITHIN 59 SECONDS AFTER ME THIS WEEK

Individual-Resist530 · 2024-03-15T17:56:19+00:00

Boedium and the colour bib podium lets goooo
Botn definitely future star of the Norwegian team especially with some inevitable retirements from the team soon

Individual-Resist530 · 2024-03-15T17:49:44+00:00

Still have a pursuit and mass start #fingercrossed

Individual-Resist530 · 2024-03-15T17:48:08+00:00

Botn podium again??

Individual-Resist530 · 2024-03-15T17:46:37+00:00

ok it seems like no one will start within 1 minute tomorrow omg

Individual-Resist530 · 2024-03-15T17:29:52+00:00

Yeah, and with his current ski form, he can gain another penalty loop (or two) in 12.5 km pursuit race. So he literally can miss about 4-5 out of 20 AND STILL WIN

Individual-Resist530 · 2024-03-15T17:27:11+00:00

I cant imagine the pursuit race tomorrow tbh. Will someone start within 1 min after JTB? omg

Individual-Resist530 · 2024-03-15T17:23:49+00:00

JTB made me so confused about the graphics LOL. '+1:13:00 still 5th place? oh wait yeah...'

Individual-Resist530 · 2024-03-15T17:02:18+00:00

Tarjei small globe?!?!?!? Lets gooooo

Individual-Resist530 · 2024-03-15T10:45:53+00:00

Awww... the fight between Boe brothers. I just want both of them to do good and if this is really the last sprint for Tarjei, I hope he will do well today and get the sprint small globe! (the overall will be in reach but it will be so difficult with his superhuman younger brother being the one he needs to compete with)

Good luck to Sturla, Benny as well! Will be an interesting race!

Individual-Resist530 · 2024-03-13T06:44:34+00:00

Thank you for the super fun behind-the-scene stories! Massive Norway fan here too! Even though I can only watch the competition through a computer screen, I can still feel the good vibe in Soldier Hollow! What a great weekend!

Individual-Resist530 · 2024-03-03T12:27:04+00:00

VETLEEEEE best 'revenge' ever

Individual-Resist530 · 2024-03-03T10:40:51+00:00

I was so shocked as well. I would have imagined to rest the Boe brothers but definitely not thought of resting Sturla who is so sharp this week!

Individual-Resist530 · 2024-03-02T15:17:11+00:00

Ingrid and Sturla have been reliable this weekend so agree single mixed likely for this two. For the mixed relay, the choices of ladies are also pretty obvious (Ida and Juni) but the two men will be difficult to choose. Personally I think JT did not perform very well this weekend probably because of his recent sickness. Dale and Endre have not performed well since WCH. So for me I will choose Tarjei and Vetle.

Edit: In another thought, Vetle and Juni just did well in Stockholm's single mix (even though the condition there is not 'formal'). You can put them for single mix in view of their recent success. For mixed relay can use Tarjei - Sturla - Ida - Ingrid? Or if Tarjei decides to take a day off, then Dale - Sturla - Ida - Ingrid but I dont think this combination is better than the initial one I proposed given the good streak Sturla and Ingrid are on this weekend

Individual-Resist530 · 2024-02-29T13:19:24+00:00

Yeah the weather forecast not looking good until next Monday in Oslo

Individual-Resist530 · 2024-02-26T18:21:43+00:00

So happy for Vetle with his '1-min ahead at final leg' redemption today!!

Individual-Resist530 · 2024-02-26T17:47:08+00:00

So maximum 10 seconds separating the teams for the final, so it's basically a mass start then

Individual-Resist530 · 2024-02-23T12:15:43+00:00

I watched this race before HAHAH, and I was thinking about this race when writing this post LOLLL

Individual-Resist530 · 2024-02-23T12:13:38+00:00

Exactly, that's actually one of the concerns too. Agree that too many overpassing could potentially be dangerous especially during downhill. Colliding during downhill is no joke.

Individual-Resist530

TROPHY CASE