Norway’s Vetle Sjaastad Christiansen won out over French rival Quentin Fillon Maillet in the concluding standing stage of this afternoon’s Kontiolahti Men’s 4 X 7.5 km Relay, shooting clean while Fillon Maillet used two spare rounds. That moment keyed Norway’s 1:13:30.7 comeback victory, after never leading the competition until those five deciding shots. Christiansen, and teammates Johannes Dale-Skjevdal, Johan-Olav Smoerdal Botn and Sturla Holm Laegreid needed just seven spares to secure the World Cup Men’s Relay Score Globe. Norway has now won the Relay Score in eight of the last nine years.

“Quite important to beat France today”

Christiansen wanted this relay win after losing to France at Milano Cortina and since it was the last relay for Coach Siegfried Mazet, leaving his position in Norway at season’s end. “We wish we were kings of the relay in the Olympics as well. It was sweet revenge; Sigi’s last relay before he quits as National Coach for Norway. So, it was quite important to beat France today. Of course, I am never happy when an opponent misses; that’s biathlon and it happens to all of us. Luckily, I managed to keep calm on the last shooting.”

“Thinking about a celebration”

Always the showman, Christiansen was thinking about a podium celebration. “I was thinking about a celebration on the last loop when I heard we were expanding the seconds to Quentin. So, bring 2018 back again; I will try to make it trendy!”

France, with six spares finished second, 19.1 seconds back. Sweden’s anchor leg Sebastian Samuelsson completed a remarkable comeback for his team that was last after a first leg penalty. Samuelsson’s clean shooting brought the team from eighth when took the tag to third, with a penalty and ten spares, 41.1 seconds back.

Finland finished fourth, with six spares, 53.2 seconds back, their best World cup relay result in 24 years. The USA, with a penalty and seven spares finished fifth, 1:23.1 back. Germany with two penalties and eleven spares finished sixth, 1:43 back.

Norway Leads, Falls Back

Norway led at the first exchange after a strong last loop by Dale-Skjevdal. Botn struggled with spare rounds, while Fabien Claude went 10-for-10, tagging Emilien Jacquelin with a 14-second lead.

Jacquelin Opens Gap

Jacquelin went full gas, shooting a very fast 10 perfect shots. Laegreid used a couple more spares, slipping 43 seconds back after his standing stage.

Jacquelin gave Fillon Maillet a 40-second lead over Christiansen at the final exchange. Olympic Sprint Champion Fillon Maillet needed three spares to clean prone, squandering the big lead as Christiansen cleaned in five shots, closing the gap to 6 seconds.

Christiansen’s Perfect Standing Stage Means Victory

In the final standing stage, the rivals shot together: Christiansen cleaned in five shots, Fillon Maillet used two spares, falling 10 seconds back. Samuelsson cleaned alongside Hiidensalo, suddenly battling for the final podium spot. The Swede flew past the Finn coming up the Wall, taking third behind Norway and France.

Photos: IBU/Christian Manzoni, Yevenko, Nordic Focus