LIVE from Oestersund, the women's relay starts at 12:35. A front-wheel drive Italy is aiming for the top 10

At 3.15pm the men will instead be engaged in the pursuit, which will close the long trip to Oestersund. In the first women's team test of the season, Italy will play everything in the two initial stages and then defend themselves in the second half of the match. Two favorite nations, many candidates for the podium.

Sunday 5 December 2021 2 minutes reading time

The blue technical staff has in fact decided to field Lisa Vittozzi as usual at the launch, while in the second half there will be Dorothea Wierer, with Samuela Comola, in the first relay of her career, in third and Michela Carrara to close. Hence, Hannah Auchentaller is excluded. The goal is therefore to remain at the top in the first part of the race and then defend in the second. So much will depend on Sappadina's approach that she must try to limit the errors at the first polygon, which are affecting her races. If this does not happen then the road to Italy would be uphill and the scary scenarios. The realistic goal seems to be the top 10. Here the IBU Live Timing! Here is the complete starting list! Norway and Sweden start slightly favored against a handful of teams that have legitimate podium ambitions: Germany, France, Belarus, Russia and Ukraine. These seven nations made it to the podium at least once in the past season, but Austria and Switzerland may also come as a surprise. Swiss who closed on the podium in Oestersund in 2019 behind Norway, which in these parts is in an open streak of two consecutive victories. Today, with a not 100% Eckhoff, success is not taken for granted and the Sweden of the Oeberg sisters wants to redeem yesterday's counter-performance from the men's team and make the home crowd rejoice.

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