LIVE: Latvian biathletes lose their lead in the relay race after completing the half-distance
The Latvian biathlon team, led by Ester Wolfa and Baiba Bendika, lost their lead in the relay race during the half-distance segment.
In the latest biathlon relay event, the Latvian team, starting with the 17th bib, entered the race with high hopes. Ester Wolfa, who has recently cemented her status among the elite athletes, handled the first leg and passed the baton to the team's leader, Baiba Bendika. As the relay continued, Sanita BuliΕa and Annija Keita Sabule were set to perform their final Olympic race at the Milan-Cortina Games, marking a significant moment for these athletes.
Ester Wolfa chose to pace herself during the first lap, entering the shooting range in 18th position. By effectively hitting all targets in the prone position, she improved her standing to 12th place by the end of her lap. Although she faced difficulties in standing shooting with two missed shots leading to penalties, she managed to correct these errors with spare cartridges and finished her last lap in 11th place, just 27.4 seconds behind the leader from Bulgaria.
Meanwhile, French athlete Camille Benec suffered a penalty lap that pushed her down to the 16th position. Despite these challenges, Wolfa executed her final lap exceptionally well, climbing up to 6th place. This competitive performance highlights the intensity of the relay race and the ups and downs that can occur within a short period, showcasing the pressure athletes face on such a significant stage.