Norway’s Johan-Olav Botn was absolutely perfect in this afternoon’s Oestersund Men’s 20 km Individual, going 20-for-20 and flying over the tracks almost a minute ahead of his rivals in a stunning 46:49.4 victory. Botn cleaned the first standing stage, taking control of the competition, then going unchallenged to his first career World Cup victory and the Yellow Bib.

Teammate Martin Uldal also shot clean in second place, 57.7 seconds back. Sweden’s Sebastian Samuelsson, with a single penalty finished third, exactly one minute back for his seventh podium in his home stadium.

Norwegians Sivert Guttorm Bakken in his first World Cup start since March 2022, and last season’s World Cup Total Score titlist Sturla Holm Laegreid finished fourth and fifth, each with one penalty, 1:41.3 and 2:10.5 back. Sweden’s Jesper Nelin rounded out the Flower Ceremony in sixth, 2:18.7 back with one penalty.

Photos: IBU/Per Danielsson, Christian Manzoni, Nordic Focus