Belgian Thierry Langer (31) had problems in the stand during the medley relay in Pokljuka. The next scenes shook the NRK expert. He himself defines it as “not dangerous”.
In the second stage of Belgium, Thierry Langer encountered snow in his rifle. Replays showed the Belgian both using his cane and repeatedly blowing the barrel of his gun as he was pointed at his face.
– This weapon is handled here then? asked lead commentator Andreas Stabrun-Smith during the live broadcast.
– Blowing in is a violation of all weapons regulations. This is not good, said NRK expert Ola Lunde.
Langer is not punished for the incident. The IBU confirmed this to NRK after the race.
– There is no danger if it is not loaded or has a magazine, Borut Nunar told the IBU.
– He will not be punished, no. He receives the penalty of course from the moment he and the team lose for doing it in the stands. You need to signal to our judges that you have problems.
According to the regulations of the International Biathlon Union (IBU), it is illegal to make movements with the weapon that could endanger others or the weapon bearer himself. The artists themselves are responsible for this.
– I had to do what I could
Then the Belgian Thierry Langer himself had the opportunity to tell about the incident.
– I know it’s not dangerous. There was no ammunition in the weapon. I tried to keep the rifle away from my face to work with it safely, she told NRK.
– Do you realize that sends a bad signal?
– Yes, of course, but at the same time I had to do everything possible to continue the race. I figured it would fix itself quickly.
Johannes Dale was also asked about the incident after the athletes had reached the finish line.
– I think it’s bad enough to aim the race at the head. It’s the worst thing you can do as a biathlete. So use the staff in there too. You have to treat that weapon with respect.
Bench pundit Ola Lunde looked almost shaken during the NRK commentary.
– This is just plain ugly to see. He must be disqualified for this.
– At least he can’t stand and screw up the race. It is the greatest sin that can be committed.
While Filip Fjeld Andersen was being interviewed by the channel, Thierry Langer could simultaneously be seen calling the support apparatus for a backup exchange. He made a long gesture from the stands, before a coach finally arrived with what he needed. However, there were enough problems with the rifle that he had to take the barrel down.
It all happened after he fell onto the trail before the second shot and broke the shaft, at the same time the rifle hit the ground and was likely destroyed. After the session in the stands, Langer surprisingly shot a full house.
– It’s one of the most boring things I’ve ever seen in a biathlon arena, NRK expert Harry Luchsinger summed up later.
Disappointing Norwegian day
On a day when Norway rested their big stars ahead of Wednesday’s 20km race in Rupholding, it was the challengers who had the chance to secure victory in the medley relay for their home country.
Filip Fjeld Andersen, Johannes Dale, Karoline Knotten and Ragnhild Femsteinevik are unlikely to be the team to tackle a similar exercise at the next WC in Oberhof in February. There was therefore the possibility for these four to show themselves in front of the relay for the championship.
Both Fjeld Andersen and Dale messed up their standing shots, with the latter active until the end of the penalty round. Karoline Knotten was then dismissed as number five, nearly 40 seconds off the lead. Karoline Knotten also used an extra shot and sent handler Femsteinevik 1.31 behind.
He had a respectable result, with only two shots to spare, but Norway eventually finished in sixth place.
