Norway’s Johannes Dale-Skjevdal surged past France’s Eric Perrot on the final uphill of this afternoon’s Ruhpolding Men’s 12.5 km Pursuit, skiing away from his French rival for a 30:23.9 victory. Dale-Skjevdal was never in the top three until he cleaned the final standing stage, leaving the range almost seven seconds behind Perrot; then proceeding to ski past Perrot in the last kilometer for the victory. Today’s win was Dale-Skjevdal’s first victory since winning the same Ruhpolding Pursuit two years and four days ago.

Young son’s first World Cup, “had to give him something special”

Dale-Skjevdal admitted he had some extra motivation with his wife and infant son with him today. “When my son is here for his first World Cup race, I have to give him something special. Today I felt like I did that. It was nice to have him and my wife here when I got a victory at my favorite venue Ruhpolding…amazing day!”

“All about saving power”

The Norwegian veteran explained how he pulled off his big move against Perrot. “First of all, I had to catch Eric. When I managed to do that, I was all about saving power for my sprint. I looked back and saw we had a bit of a gap to the next guys. Then it was all about saving power for the final sprint. Then (on the last hill) I decided to give it all and it was enough.”

Perrot, with three penalties, finished 4.9 seconds back, Sweden’s Martin Ponsiluoma, with four penalties, moved from seventh after the last standing stage to third, a season best, first podium of the year, 7.5 seconds back.

France’s Fabien Claude, with two penalties also recorded a season best in fourth place, 8.2 seconds back. Italy’s Tommaso Giacomel, with five penalties finished fifth, 8.5 seconds back while Sprint winner Sebastian Samuelsson with four penalties, finished sixth, 12.3 seconds back.

Rollercoaster Ride Pursuit

The final Ruhpolding competition was another rollercoaster ride not decided until the waning moments. Samuelsson and Giacomel both picked up penalties in the first prone stage; none of their rivals capitalized, they remained 1-2. The sprint winner missed one shot in the second prone but escaped in the lead a second up on Frey. Dale-Skjevdal trailing by six.

By the first standing, it was three Norwegians and the Swede dueling for the top spot. Sturla Holm Laegreid and Samuelsson responded with clean stages, separated by 1.3 seconds. Perrot, after two penalties in prone cleaned, another second back.

Dale-Skjevdal Outduels Perrot

Perrot and Samuelsson put down the hammer in the loop into the final standing. Perrot’s single penalty was enough for him to give him the lead as Samuelsson missed twice. Dale-Skjevdal cleaned, going out six seconds back.

The Norwegian powered into the lead on the last uphill; Perrot unable to respond, finished second, with a mass sprint sorting the next four spots in the Flower Ceremony.

Photos: IBU/Harald Deubert, Yevenko, Nordic Focus