Martin Ponsiluoma is always one of the best cross-country skiers in the biathlon elite. But he has a bit too often problems with the shooting to succeed in taking top placements.
This winter, the shooting has been worse than ever.
I haven't done any good race this season, he states.
The biggest problem is that no one knows why he can't get the shooting in order.
I was really loaded today and had very good focus. I've had very good weeks leading up to it with great shooting and had very good focus on every pass – so it shouldn't be that many misses today, he says.
No answer
National team coach Johannes Lukas also has no answers to the shooting problem.
There is no simple explanation. He shoots fantastically well in training and shot well in the mixed relay (the first race in the World Championship). He is much better than he shows today. Now we'll support him and lift him. There are many races left and he will strike back, says Lukas.
Far behind for the pursuit
It won't be easy to strike back already in Sunday's pursuit. After five penalty rounds in the sprint, Ponsiluoma starts 1.49 minutes after Johannes Thingnes Bø, the Norwegian who won the sprint.
I'll just go out and drive and try to get a good competition. But I'm not aiming to be that high up, says Ponsiluoma, who admits to being frustrated.
I'm not here to fight for a 30th place, I want to be higher up. Now I'm eager to do a good competition.
What Ponsiluoma takes with him, however, is that he skis fast, had the third best time on the track.
The form is good, then I know I have all the chances.
