France's Martin Fourcade and Justine Braisaz stole the show in Sjusjøen, locking the Norwegians out of victories on home turf in biathlon's season-opening sprints.
After hosting IBU World Championships last season and thinking ahead to the 2018 Olympics, the Norwegian biathlon team is in sort of an "in-between season" as Norwegian Biathlon Association President Erlend Slokvik described. Still, its men's and women's teams are aiming for the top-two overall come next March.
With the IBU season opening this weekend with preseason races in Sjusjøen, Norway, FasterSkier contributor Aleks Tangen checked out the venue and spoke with some of the movers and shakers at the venue.