– I’ve dreamed of this – NRK Sport – Sports news, results and broadcast schedule

– It is very emotional to manage and win. Ah! Getting on the podium is something very important. Winning has been a dream for so long, says Dale after securing victory in the sprint at Hochfilzen.

Dale came out with the starting number 66 and battled all the flashes. With a final round that smelled of burning, the 23-year-old was able to claim the first victory of his career. A clearly marked and relieved Dale roared towards the camera when he realized he had won.

– A day that I will remember for the rest of my life.

– I think of all the work behind it. And everyone who has helped me. Mom, dad, grandparents and my boyfriend. There are many who are behind this victory. This is a day that I will remember for the rest of my life, continue.

After six flower ceremonies (top six) and 15 top ten races at the World Cup last year, it was a big goal for Dale to get on the podium this winter. But that it should reach the top by now, probably few had imagined it.

Crushed competitors along the way

Quentin Fillon Maillet of France also shot flawlessly, but was 17 seconds behind the Norwegian in goal. Fillon Maillet was in second place, while his compatriot Fabien Claude was in third place. Johannes Thingnes Bø finished off the podium in fourth position.

In addition to 10 of 10 hits, Dale clearly had the best cross country time.

– This is an absolutely masterful career for Johannes Dale. It’s fantastic, the NRK expert commented as the 23-year-old reached the finish line.

– After so many top-ten placements, this was extremely well deserved, added commentator Andreas Stabrun Smith.

Norwegians with late start numbers

The effort of the Norwegian team was, as in Kontiolahti, very strong. This gives Norway a promising starting point for the start of the hunt on Saturday.

– It’s crazy. “Norway have four winners so far. We have an incredible level, you see it today too, with four top eleven. It’s difficult to be in the team, and we push each other all the time, Dale said at the conference press after the race.

Vetle Sjåstad Christiansen became the third best Norwegian with his seventh place. He was the first Norwegian to start the sprint with start number 60, which is very unusual as the best biathletes generally like to start early in the sprint.

World Cup leader Johannes Thingnes Bø said before kickoff that they expected more polished conditions and cooler weather throughout the day, but that assessment didn’t seem to work.

– The advantage that we could have imagined seems to be fading, he said then.

The Norwegian women also opted for a late start in their sprint early in the day. Tiril Eckhoff became the best Norwegian woman second behind surprise Dzinara Alimbekava.