At the very top, Simon Eder placed seventh in yesterday’s mass start race in Zhangjiakou. The 39-year-old biathlon veteran was delighted to be able to advance so far in a mixed season in the last Olympic race of his career. “The starting number will have a place of honor,” said Eder, who will continue for another season.
He already has start numbers from three editions of the Olympics at home – although collecting the jerseys is a tradition at his parents’ house. Father Alfred even brought home the laundry from six games. Simon used to do his first cross-country races in Saalfelden with the neighborhood children in these starting numbers.
Like his father, Simon was never granted an Olympic individual medal. Not least because of relay silver (2014) and bronze (2010) his ring conclusion is positive. The one about your career has been around for a long time anyway, especially since the World Championships in Oslo in 2016. “To get a medal together with Landi, where your dad did one 30 years ago, that made the whole story one for me made rounds,” said Eder, who then won bronze in the individual behind Dominik Landertinger.
Leitner frustrated
The fire that was lit at the races with the neighborhood children is still burning. “After more than 15 years in the World Cup, the circus and the scene are still good for me,” said Eder, who completed two penalties yesterday. He fared much better than teammate Felix Leitner, who did not get past 29th place in the field of 30 after seven field shots. “I’m glad it’s over,” said the Tyrolean after another failed Olympic race. Yesterday gold went to the Norwegian Johannes Thingnes Bö for the fourth time.
Hauser injured himself
Since Lisa Hauser did not get past eleventh place in the mass start, the games for Austria’s biathletes ended without a medal. The world champion fell on her rifle in a descent before the second standing stage. The sprint fourth suffered bleeding into the triceps muscle. “I somehow made it through the race, even though I was in pain, but at the finish it all became a bit too much,” said the 28-year-old, who completed four penalties. “Everything will be fine,” she reassured.
Team colleague Katharina Innerhofer finished 14th after Justine Braisaz-Bouchet (Fra) won after a strong mileage.
Source: Nachrichten
