Richard and Botn win in Kontiolahti's Individuals

Jeanne Richard of France and Johan Olav Botn of Norway are the winners of the Individual competitions at IBU Cup's opening week in Kontiolahti.

For Richard, it was a first-ever win in the IBU Cup, and for Botn, a second one after he wrapped up last season's IBU Cup finals with a Pursuit win.

Second-career IBU Cup win for Botn

Botn opened and closed the competition as the fastest man of the day. He won in 50:48.1, 1:15.5 minutes ahead of Mats Oeverby, and 1:33.1 minutes in front of Martin Nevland, both of his teammates. All three missed one shot on a day when no athlete cleared all 20 targets. Oeverby collected his sixth IBU Cup podium finish, and Nevland his first.

The Winner’s Words - Johan Olav Botn

“I am very happy with my race today and content with my shape at the beginning of the season. I had only one miss and felt strong on the skis. The last lap could have been faster, perhaps.”

Watch Men's Highlights here

Philipp Horn of Germany finished in the fourth place. Vetle Paulsen of Norway, in his first-ever IBU Cup showing, finished fifth. Vincent Bonacci of the US achieved sixth place - his first-ever Flower ceremony finish in the IBU Cup.

Richard wins in one second-difference finish

Missing just one shot, Jeanne Richard of France won in the Women's Individual in Kontiolahti. She was just one second faster than Maren Kirkeeide from Norway. It was also Richard's first-ever win in the IBU Cup. Third place went to Karoline Erdal of Norway. The Norwegians missed one shot each.

The Winner's Words - Jeanne Richard

"It was a really tough and close race. I felt a lot of pressure on the last shooting range. My legs felt heavy in the final lap, but I kept telling myself I needed to win this. It is my first win in the IBU Cup, and I am super happy about that!"

Watch Women's Highlights here

Richard left the last shooting range trailing Kirkeeide just 0.2 seconds. She found the last ounces of the reserves in the final 300 meters for a win in 46:35.1. Kirkeeide was one second behind Richard and Erdal 22.5 seconds. Juliane Fruehwirt of Germany was fourth, Fanqi Meng of China fifth, and Johanna Puff of Germany sixth.