U.S. Mixed Relay Team Fourth, Ties Best Ever Finish in Nove Mesto

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by Sara Donatello

An epic battle from start to finish, the U.S. mixed relay team delivered a standout fourth place finish under the lights in Nove Mesto na Morave, CZE. With four composed, confident performances, the Americans matched the best ever mixed relay result, tying the fourth place finish from 2015 and crossing the line just +59.5 behind the victorious Italian squad.


Coach Emil Bormetti summed it up simply: “That was awesome. What a great feeling.”

(Photo by Nordic Focus Photo Agency)

Italy’s Dorothea Wierer, Lisa Vittozzi, Lukas Hofer, and Tommaso Giacomel topped the podium, joined by France in second and host nation Czechia in third, electrifying a home crowd of more than 40,000. The battle for bronze came down to a thrilling final lap between Czech anchor Michal Krcmar and Maxime Germain (Chamonix-Mont Blanc, FRA/National Guard Biathlon). Fueled by the roar of the crowd, Krcmar surged ahead in the closing meters to secure third, finishing just 2.3 seconds ahead of Germain.


In her 150th World Cup start, Deedra Irwin (Pulaski, WI/Army World Class Athlete Program) set the tone for Team USA, delivering a top-tier shooting performance with just one spare in prone and a clean standing stage. Battling on skis, she handed off to Margie Freed (Apple Valley, MN/Craftsbury Green Racing Project) in 10th.


Racing her first mixed relay of the season, Freed showed remarkable poise despite the deafening atmosphere, using just one spare in both prone and standing. Backed by the fifth fastest ski time of her leg, she moved the U.S. up to eighth at the second exchange.


Campbell Wright (Wanaka, NZL/Waiorau Nordic Skiing) went out on the third leg with a head of steam, laser focused on getting the U.S. back up to podium contention… and he did just that. With the first overall ski time of his leg and just one spare in both prone and standing, Wright dug deep to jump four positions and tag off to Germain in fourth place.  


Anchoring under pressure, Germain got the high-stakes battle he was looking for. Shooting clean in prone, Germain had the U.S. in third place heading into the final standing stage. Using two spares in standing, he left the range one second ahead of Czechia. Both athletes emptied the tank on the final lap, fighting for the bronze position. Ultimately, the power of the Czech fans gave Krcmar the boost he needed to cross the line in third, Germain right behind in fourth. 


With the Olympic Winter Games fast approaching, today’s performance was a testament to the preparedness and momentum of the U.S. team headed to Antholz, Italy in search of America’s first Olympic medal in the sport of biathlon.

(Photo by Nordic Focus Photo Agency)
(Photo by Nordic Focus Photo Agency)