Norway’s Johan-Olav Botn and teammate Johannes Dale-Skjevdal dueled until the final standing stage of this afternoon’s Annecy Le Grand Bornand Men’s 12.5 km Pursuit. While Yellow Bib cleaned, closing his 20th consecutive target, his rival missed twice, ceding the victory to Botn, who skied to a 31:20.8 victory. Botn’s third win this season and sixth career podium guaranteed he would wear Yellow when the calendar turns to 2026.

Emilien Jacquelin of France, with three penalties won a last loop battle to finish second, 17.6 seconds back, .3 seconds ahead of Dale-Skjevdal, with two penalties, both in the final standing stage.

Jacquelin’s teammate Eric Perrot, with one penalty finished fourth, 18.3 seconds back. Swedish teammates Sebastian Samuelsson and Martin Ponsiluoma finished fifth and sixth, with four and three penalties, 22.5 and 24.7 seconds back, respectively.

Photos: IBU/Mobuchon, Manzoni, Nordic Focus