OLYMPICS: Biathlon-Oeberg leverages experience to grab relay silver for Sweden

ANTERSELVA, Italy – Sweden’s Hanna Oeberg called on all her experience to hold off Norway’s rising star Maren Kirkeeide and secure the silver medal in Wednesday’s women’s relay at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, as France cruised to gold.

France dominated the race, finishing 51.3 seconds ahead of the competition, while Oeberg and Kirkeeide engaged in a tense battle for second place. The 30-year-old Swede ultimately edged out her Norwegian rival by 16.3 seconds.

“When I got a decent gap after the last standing shoot, it felt pretty calm,” Oeberg told Reuters. “The main goal was to win the silver medal and beat Norway. I focused on myself and managed to stay calm.”

Oeberg, who won Olympic gold in the same event in 2022, handled the final shoot with poise, using an extra bullet after a miss. Kirkeeide, meanwhile, struggled with two wayward shots, allowing Oeberg to maintain a lead that could not be overcome.

“It’s good to see that I can lift my strengths on the range,” Oeberg said. “Even if I have to shoot extra shots like today, it doesn’t matter that much.”

Her teammate Martin Ponsiluoma, already an Olympic pursuit gold and relay bronze medalist, celebrated with Oeberg as Sweden’s women’s team earned their first medal of the Milano Cortina Games.

“Obviously it feels very good to have our own medal celebration,” Oeberg said. “Now we have one of every color in our room, so it feels great.” -Reporting by Philip O'Connor; Editing by Ken Ferris/Reuters