France’s Eric Perrot, after a penalty loop, left the last standing stage at Munich’s Olympiapark this afternoon less than a second behind Norway’s Isak Frey, but Perrot was on fire, dashing around the last loop, winning the Loop One Super Sprint in 20:33.7 ahead of the young Norwegian. Both Perrot and Frey had three penalties.

“An amazing day”

Perrot was thrilled with his win in front of the big crowd of over 15,000 between the sold-out tribune and the tracks. “I really enjoyed my race. Today was so great, really great atmosphere, great track, great performance. Everything was fine to do a good race, and I really enjoyed the fight. It was an amazing day.”

“I am in really good shape”

As for his shape a month before the season opens in Oestersund, “I am in really good shape now. I had a really good preparation until today. I know all is good a month before starting the World Cup and I don’t know how many months before the Olympics, but for the moment it is on the right way.”

IBU Cup Total Score winner Frey finished second 5.7 seconds back. Germany’s Justus Strelow, with just a single penalty, finished third, 5.7 seconds back. Norway’s Vebjoern Soerum finished fourth, also with three penalties, 10.9 seconds back after recording the fastest track time of the day. Finland’s Tero Seppala who challenged Perrot much of the afternoon finished fifth, with two penalties 11.4 seconds back, while Sweden’s Victor Brandt, with four penalties, finished sixth, 16.8 seconds back.

Great Afternoon for Biathlon

It was a great afternoon for biathlon with a mixture of light clouds and sunshine and autumn temperatures around 10C. As expected, the heats were extremely competitive with some surprises. Seppala took the first heat over Laegreid, while Perrot was chased by Slovenia’s Anton Vidmar in heat two. France’s Quentin Fillon Maillet and Emilien Jacquelin as well as Italian Tommy Giacomel failed to make the finals.

Rolling Start; Perrot and Seppala Duel

After a rolling start out of BMW World and onto the tracks, the pace was very controlled into the first prone stage, with Campbell Wright leading. Perrot cleaned the first prone quickly, taking a three-second lead over Seppala, Strelow and Laegreid. Perrot and Seppala went shot-for-shot in the second prone, getting away 11 seconds in front of the also clean Sturla Holm Laegreid and Vidmar.

Perrot cracked in the first standing with a penalty, putting the 15-for-15 Finn the lead. Strelow and Marecek cleaned after an earlier prone miss, leaving third and fourth, almost 20 seconds back.

Perrot Rebounds to Victory

By the final standing, Seppala and Perrot were back together. Both missed twice, ceding the lead to the clean-shooting Frey. Perrot rebounded with a fast trip around the penalty loop, leaving alongside the young Norwegian. The Finn trailed by 7 seconds with Strelow just behind.

Perrot powered around the last loop of the lake, pulling away for a resounding victory.

Photos: IBU/Manzoni, Yevenko