By Inge Scheve
Another solid race week for Team Madshus both on the IBU biathlon World Cup and the FIS Cross-Country World Cup.
For starters: after two weeks on the IBU-Cup, Vebjørn Sørum (NOR) goes straight for the podium in his return to the World Cup on Sunday.
The 25-year-old Norwegian was pulled in for the last World Cup race before the 2024 IBU World Championships, and didn’t waste the opportunity.
Despite literally no chance to acclimatize or prep, Sørum hauled into third place in the prestigious mass start in Anterselva (ITA). That was his second individual World Cup podium this season and the second of his career.
“I am super excited that I was able to post a podium when I was given the chance to do one race,” says Sørum, who is headed for a busy week. On Wednesday, Sørum is part of the national team selected for the European Championships, which take place in Bresno-Osrblie (SVK).
Story continues below
Photo by: Nordic Focus
At the FIS Cross-country World Cup, which returned from a break following Tour de Ski, Madshus athletes posted solid results.
Both overall World Cup leader Harald Østberg Amundsen (NOR) and US rising start Ben Ogden made it to the final in the classic sprint on the first day of the race weekend in Oberhof (GER), finishing fourth and sixth, respectively.
On Saturday, Krista Pärmäkoski (FIN) finished ninth in the 20-kilometer classic mass start, before capping off the weekend with her first World Cup podium for the season. On Sunday, the Finnish veteran, who has had a rough first part of her season, helped Finland to third place in the relay in Oberhof (GER).
The FIS world Cup now moved on to Goms (SUI) for a three-day race weekend on January 26 to 28.
Photo by: Nordic Focus