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.

“Incredible to be in this situation”

Botn, whose nine previous World Cup starts came in the 2023/24 season more than appreciated his big win today. “It is incredible to be in this situation. It’s quite tough being on the B Team in Norway, trying to make it to the World Cup team. Especially this year when it’s Olympics, it is harder when there are only four spots there. Right now, I am really proud of how I managed it mentally. I can compete for at least the rest of the week with a little bit lower shoulders.”

“Hard Work pays off”

Regarding his finish line celebration, “It’s 20 years of hard work finally pays off. I am 26 years old and have taken my time to get to this level. It’s a big relief to finally make it, to finally perform at the level I always wanted to be.”

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.

Botn, Uldal, Samuelsson in Contention

After a windy afternoon competition on Tuesday, the wind flags were barely flapping, setting up good shooting conditions on this cloudy -1 Wednesday afternoon. Eric Perrot, Samuelsson and Botn, along with Uldal all cleaned the first prone stage, separated by 12 seconds.

Botn took control at the first standing, cleaning easily 3.5 seconds faster than Samuelsson and a dozen in front of Uldal. Yet it was in the second prone that he broke the field, again shooting perfectly, going over 30 seconds up on Uldal.

Samuelsson cleaned the second prone for a momentary lead, until Uldal bettered that by 20 seconds. Botn reaffirmed his brilliant day closing five more targets and pushing his lead to 38 seconds.

Botn’s Insurmountable Lead

Samuelsson shot carefully and perfectly in the last standing, staying in the podium mix. Uldal slowed his cadence, cleaning 9 seconds faster than Samuelsson.

Botn, in total control, with the win on the line shot very cautiously and cleaned, heading to victory with an unsurmountable 48-second lead. Coming to the finish, Botn punched the sky joyfully celebrating a career high-water mark.

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