Norway’s Sturla Holm Laegreid completed a Kontiolahti/ Otepää Hat trick this afternoon with his wire-to-wire 33:14.6 win. The Norwegian was never seriously challenged he cleaned the first standing stage while eventual second placed Emilien Jacquelin picked up two penalties. Laegreid’s win upped his podium streak up to nine consecutive competitions, with his three wins this season all withing the last 6 days.

“I just stayed calm”

Laegreid shot better on a very windy day than anyone else in the 60-man field. “I had the focus today to fight for every shot and there were some gusts of wind that disturbed my shooting. I just stayed calm and used the time I needed to hit the targets. I am especially happy with the fighting in the second prone and first standing when it was quite difficult. That gave me the gap I needed into the last standing. I knew that I could afford two mistakes, so less pressure. I only had one, so it was any easy victory.”

“I am still good”

With two wins here, he looks forward to next season’s IBU World Championships at Tehvandi ski Stadium. “It seems like it fits me very well. I remember from eight years ago at the Junior World Championships I had some good races here. I am still good, so there is hope for me next year!”

Emilien Jacquelin got as close as three seconds after the second prone stage, but like everyone struggled with the wind and softening tracks, finishing second. with five penalties, 2:20.9 back. Laegreid’s teammate Martin Uldal with five penalties finished third, 2:46.7 back.

The USA’s Campbell Wright jumped for 21st at the start to finish in a season-best fourth place, 2:49 back. Sweden’s Sebastian Samuelsson, also with five penalties finished fifth, 2:52.4 back. France’s Fabien Claude, with four penalties, rounded out the Flower Ceremony in sixth, 3:05.3 back.

Windy, Warm Day: Laegreid and Jacquelin Battle

Pursuit Saturday was again a warm 13C, with strong winds cutting across the shooting range, making shooting a challenge in addition to the sun-softened tracks. The top two remained the same in the first prone with both cleaning, but Jacquelin a bit faster, closing the gap to 8 seconds. Laegreid cautiously cleaned the second prone as the wind gusted. Jacquelin fired rapidly, matching, and closing the gap down to 3 seconds. Philipp Nawrath added a second penalty, but left third, 1:22 back with Samuelsson after a penalty loop, on his shoulder.

Laegreid in Total Control

Laegreid went to 15-for-15 in the first standing tsking total control as Jacquelin picked up two penalties but retained second. Samuelsson cleaned taking sole possession of third when Nawrath missed three times. Laegreid with a commanding lead, missed his only shot of the day in the final standing stage, but it made no difference. Jacquelin missed three times but held on to second, 2:21 back.

Photos: IBU/Dmytro Yevenko, Nordic Focus