Johannes Thingnes Bø won by 34.6 seconds ahead of older brother Tarjei Bø. And Martin Ponsiluoma took third place, 1.11 minutes behind the winner.
“I’m really happy to get on the podium, this is what I’ve been fighting for all season,” says Ponsiluoma.
“Thought it was completely gone”
After the victory in the first race of the season, it took until the WC general race before the 27-year-old managed to take a few podium places (a second and a third place in Antholz). In the WC, he also finally got an individual podium in the final mass start where he finished second.
Johannes Thingnes Bø started the chase with a 30 second margin to his brother Tarjei after the sprint the other day. Ponsiluoma was 1.15 minutes behind, sixth, at the start. After three misses in the second shot, the Swede was a long way behind.
— Then I thought it was all over today. But I felt that I had good pressure under the skis. I had great skis, I drove everything I had on all laps and felt I had a chance. But it was a really tough sprint lap, says Ponsiluoma.
Fastest ride time
After only one miss in the last shot, Ponsiluoma went out together with the German Benedikt Doll. And after a while the Swede was able to pass.
— I felt that I had a slight advantage and I fought all the way.
At the finish he was three seconds ahead, having had the competition’s fastest time in the ski track.
Sebastian Samuelsson, who took the World Championship bronze in the pursuit start a few weeks ago, had the chance to join and fight for third place but missed two shots in the final standing shooting. He finished seventh after four misses.