It kicked off in Östersund, as usual, the 2017/2018 IBU World Cup Biathlon. First stage of a packed schedule that will live its apex in February, with the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games.

Despite only pocketing one silver medal, the Italian National Team nailed a series of good results, collective positive feelings especially with Lisa Vittozzi.

The 22-year-old from Sappada (ITA), first in the race during the relay that Italy closed 5.3 seconds behind Norway, shot excellently both in the mixed relay and in the sprint, where she finished in 5th place, four ahead of Dorothea Wierer, the second Italian athlete to place in the top-10 in the 7.5 km event.

In her third and last start, then, Vittozzi closed even better, taking 4th place and finishing 20 seconds away from what would have been the second individual podium of her young career.

Good sensations also came from the Single Mixed Relay, where Alexia Runggaldier and Thoams Bormolini concluded in 7th place, and from Lukas Hofer, 6th in the 20 km Individual race and 11th in the Pursuit one.

The spotlights will now turn to Hochfilzen (AUT), where from December 8th to December 10th six races will take place: two sprints, two pursuits and two relays.

Marco Vettoretti