A total of 300 athletes from almost 40 nations raced for the medals in Östersund. For Hanna Öberg (SWE)* in particular, the World Championships were like a fairy tale in front of her home crowd. Silver in the Relay and Bronze in the Single Mixed Relay were, in addition to two fourth and fifth places, outshone by Gold in the Individual event. "It's incredible. Olympic Gold last year was also a surprise for me. It was all very emotional. This year I knew I could win. But to win right here at home is something completely different. I am very proud of myself for having managed it," explains the amiable World Champion. Denise Herrmann (GER)* also won a complete set of medals with Gold in Pursuit, Silver in the Relay and Bronze in the final Mass Start event, and was very happy to be the most successful German athlete: "It is always nice to come back to the place where you celebrated your first World Cup victory. I love these tracks and especially the shooting range works for me better here than in other places. A dream came true for me when I became World Champion." Tiril Eckhoff (NOR)** with two Gold medals and one Silver, Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold (NOR)* with one Gold and one Silver, and Laura Dahlmeier (GER)* with two Bronze medals, also made a major contribution to Fischer's medal tally.
The favourite leads the way
Johannes Thingnes Bø (NOR)* clearly lived up to his role as favourite in the men's events. The exceptional Norwegian athlete, who is already the overall winner in the World Cup, crowned his successful season with four Gold medals in the Sprint, Single Mixed, Mixed Relay and Relay events, as well as Silver in Pursuit, making him the most successful athlete of the World Championships. "At first I was disappointed following my Silver in Pursuit because it was so close. But in the end, I knew before the last competition that I can be more than satisfied with my success here in Östersund. I am proud of the whole team and the results we achieved here together," said this season's high-flyer. His brother, Tarjei Bø (NOR)*, upped the Bø family's medal score after a thankless fourth place in Pursuit with Gold in the Relay and Bronze in the Individual race. Alexander Loginov (RUS)* with Silver in the Sprint and Bronze in the Relay, as well as Quentin Fillon Maillet (FRA)* with two Bronzes, one in the Sprint and one in the Pursuit, put even more shine into the Fischer medals table. Julian Eberhard (AUT)* finished the successful World Championships for Fischer with Bronze in the Mass Start: "It took a while, but in the end I made it to the podium. My first medal in an individual event - I couldn't be happier."
A huge success for Fischer
From Fischer's point of view, the World Championships in Östersund were a complete success in terms of medals bagged and equipment raced. All medal winners from the Fischer Race Family, with just one exception, were successful using the complete package of Fischer skis, boots and TURNAMIC® bindings. At the beginning of the World Championships, only Fischer athletes succeeded in reaching the podium in the first three individual events. During the competitions the new Speedmax 3D skis flashed by in the snow remarkably often. The latest innovation from the Fischer Racing Department is easily recognised by its yellow, waxable, gliding sidewalls, and was launched only a few weeks ago at the international sporting goods trade fairs. "I think my serviceman has found my dream ski," says Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold about her new Speedmax 3D. "The others also had fast skis, but mine was just a touch faster." Johannes Thingnes Bø adds: "The Speedmax 3D simply glides away better from your foot. Especially in the conditions here, the skis were just awesome."
* Fischer skies, bindings & boots
