Norway at the double in relays in Ostersund as Stroemsheim, Soerum, Dale and Sjaastad Christiansen succeed

Norway made it five wins from a possible five biathlon World Cup events in the men’s relay in Ostersund as France snatched the women’s relay crystal globe.

Even without their big three of Johannes Thingnes Boe, Tarjei Boe and Sturla Holm Laegreid, the Norwegian men made it a clean sweep on the World Cup circuit in convincing fashion.

The quartet of Endre Stroemsheim, Vebjoern Soerum, Johannes Dale and Vetle Sjaastad Christiansen missed just seven rounds in total to finish 22.5 seconds clear of France, for whom Fabien Claude’s penalty loop on the final shoot proved costly.

Benedikt Doll led home Germany to complete the podium, but it was Norway who confirmed their crystal globe with a perfect campaign.

That Norwegian success followed a win for their women earlier in the day, Marte Olsbu Roieseland leading her quartet home, once again ahead of the French.

In fact, it was an identical podium to the men’s event with Germany taking the bronze. The drama came further back though, with France’s second place enough for them to overhaul Sweden at the top of the standings to take the crystal globe.