France’s Eric Perrot seized control of this evening’s Kontiolahti Men’s 20 km Individual when he cleaned the first prone stage, perfectly closing the next 15 targets, never ceding the lead, and skiing to a 44:55.7 victory. Perrot’s fourth victory of the season gave the Yellow/Red Bib the World Cup Individual Score Discipline Globe, his first-ever small globe with 211 points to runner-up Johan-Olav Botn’s 141.

“I had to shoot 20-out-of-20”

Perrot admitted wearing the Yellow/Red Bib for the first time in his career inspired him. “It felt so good to take the Bib on before the race, the first time with both colors. I was really proud and really focused on the race. I knew I had to shoot 20-out-of-20 if I wanted to have a chance to fight for the globe. That was the main goal of the day, focusing on the shooting. I am really happy that I did a good one. On the track, the shape was also good. I really enjoyed my race. I gave it my all and it was a really good result at the end.”

“On the track, you have to challenge yourself every second”

He reaffirmed the importance and pressure that came as the Total Score and discipline leader. “When you wear this beautiful jersey, you want to make it great. With the Red one, I knew it was going to be tough with Johan-Olav (Olympic 20 km Gold medalist), a great opponent. Mentally, I knew I had to clean and do a good race; on the track you have to challenge yourself every second. It was tough but I am really happy that it went the right way.”

Norwegians Sturla Holm Laegreid and Vetle Sjaastad Christiansen, matched Perrot on the range, finishing second and third, 29.9 and 47.9 seconds back. Laegreid’s second place marked his sixth consecutive podium since the Milan/Cortina OWG started where he won three Silver and two Bronze medals.

Italy’s Lukas Hofer shot clean in fourth, 1:18.1 back, his best-ever 20 km finish. Germany’s Philipp Nawrath, with two penalties, finished fifth, 2:19.6 back. Norway’s Martin Uldal, with a single penalty, finished sixth, 2:20.1 back.

Windy, but Good Shooting

The first men’s competition under the lights was marked by a moderate wind cutting across the range from left to right, but it mattered little to the top four men who shot clean. Perrot took control in the first prone, immediately jumping 3 seconds up on Laegreid and Hofer. Perrot responded to his rival’s clean shooting in the first standing with a confident bout, stretching his lead to 9 seconds.

Stretching the Lead

Laegreid and Christiansen crept a bit closer in the second prone, closing the gap to 5 and 17 seconds. After Hofer closed his final five targets, the leaders had to match; they all did. Perrot put on the final loop afterburners, adding19 seconds to his lead over Laegreid, sealing the victory.

Photos: IBU/Christian Manzoni, Nordic Focus