Sweden’s Martin Ponsiluoma came to the last standing stage of this morning’s Milan/Cortina Men’s 12.5 km Pursuit in second position, almost 40 seconds behind leader Emilien Jacquelin of France. Ponsiluoma, after seeing Jacquelin had two penalties, shot quickly and clean, moving into first, skiing to his first-ever Olympic medal in 31:11:19. Ponsiluoma, after starting seventh had his only penalty in the second prone stage. From that point, he cleaned both standing stages, setting up his stunning victory.

Victory, “Hard to believe”

Ponsiluoma’s victory today was just the third in his career. He also won the 2021 IBU World Championships Sprint title and took the 2022 Olympic Mass Start Silver medal. At the finish, he commented, “It’s hard to believe at the moment, but I am sure going to land with me and then I will enjoy it!”

Norway’s Sturla Holm Laegreid, with two penalties won the Bronze medal, 20.6 seconds back, his third individual medal of these Games after Bronze in the 20 km Individual and 10 km Sprint. Jacquelin after leading much of the competition had three penalties but won the Bronze medal, 29.7 seconds back.

France’s Eric Perrot, ninth at the start, finished fourth, with one penalty, 30.5 seconds back. Sprint Silver medalist Vetle Sjaastad Christiansen, with three penalties, finished fifth, 44.8 seconds back while teammate Johannes Dale-Skjevdal finished sixth, 1:06.6 back. Photos: IBU/Vianney Thibaut, Ola Wizor, Nordic Focus