JT Boe’s Dominating Mass Start Victory Closes Season

Norway’s Johannes Thingnes Boe capped the BMW IBU World Cup season with another dominating victory, taking the Canmore Men’s 15 km Mass start in 36:03.4, earning a season-ending hat trick. JT took control of the competition just before the second prone stage, pulling away from the field, and skiing powerfully as only he can through the deep, soft snow. The World Cup Total Score titlist missed only one shot on the way to his 11th victory of the season and 85th of his career.

“Perfect ending to a perfect season”

His third consecutive victory secured his third World Cup Mass Start Score title, the 12th discipline globe of his career to go along with the five World Cup Total Score titles. JT called this afternoon’s win, “A perfect ending to a perfect season. World Champs were great. The ending here was also very good; a hat trick to end the season (makes me) happy.”

Chasing Ole Einar

Only one man, the legendary Ole Einar Bjoerndalen has more World Cup victories (96) than JT, “So the race is on! Maybe next year.”

JT’s teammate Johannes Dale-Skjevdal ended his season on a high note after several sub-par competitions, finishing second, with two penalties, 44.5 seconds back. Emilien Jacquelin likewise ended the season on a high note in third place, with three penalties, 1:07.2 back, his third podium in the last five competitions.

Tarjei’s Second-Best Ever Season

Tommaso Giacomel of Italy finished fourth,1:15.1 back, giving him the Blue Bib (Under 25) title. JT’s Brother Tarjei finished fifth, 1:19.9 back. The 35-year-old was second in the World Cup Total Score, his second-best ever, only topped by his Total Score win in 2011. Sweden’s Martin Ponsiluoma finished sixth, 1:23.8 back. All three men had four penalties.

Unwintry End to Season

The 2023/24 BMW IBU World Cup season ended on a very unwintry 15C, sunny afternoon that softened the tracks and brought out the t-shirts once more. The Yellow Bib led the field out of the stadium for the final time. Eric Perrot cleaned the first prone with ease, in front of JT and 10 other with zeroes by their name. JT took control cleaning the second prone easily, with Vetle Sjaastad Christiansen after a first stage miss moving to second, 6.4 seconds back. By the 8.5 km split, the gap was up to 20+ seconds and growing.

Padding his Lead

Before anyone else was on their mats, JT mowed down the first standing stage. Dale-Skjevdal cleaned, 43 seconds back; Christiansen and Jacquelin trailing at 52 seconds.

JT continued padding his lead into the final standing stage. With over a minute in hand, he hit the first four targets, missing the last, cutting his lead to 32 seconds over Dale-Skjevdal. Jacquelin cleaned, leaving third.

BMW IBU World Cup 9 Canmore Men's Mass 15 km Mass Start

Flag-waving Finish

The final loop was a mere formality: JT closed the season with another win. The 85-time World Cup winner stopped before the finish line picking up a tiny Norwegian flag, waving it in victory, closing the season.

Photos: IBU/Christian Manzoni

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