JT Boe Masters Mass Start; NMNM Hat Trick

Norway’s Johannes Thingnes Boe’s only error of the day came when he missed a shot in the first prone stage. From that point, he mastered the rest of the competition, taking the lead after the first standing stage and powering to a 34:50.2 victory and Gold medal in the IBU World Championships Men’s 15 km Mass Start. Crossing the finish line, he held up 1…2…3 fingers symbolizing his Nove Mesto na Morave hat trick with victories in the pursuit, individual and now the mass start. Today’s victory was the third IBU World Championships Mass Start title of his career and his seventh medal at this year’s Championships.

“Beautiful ending to an amazing Championships”

The Gold medalist after so many times in front of the microphone was almost speechless, calling the feeling after his third Gold medal, “the best.” Adding about the atmosphere, “Shooting on lane one in this stadium is one of the highlights of my career. And to make such a beautiful ending to an amazing Championships…I cannot describe it in words. Before the start today, I looked up in the stands and really took in the energy. It is just crazy to win a race when there are so many people here!”

“One of my favorite stadiums”

Continuing about the crowds and the indelible memories of the week, “Every photo of the competition that I have seen with me in between the photographer and the stands makes me feel so small. It is one of my favorite stadiums for sure.”

Andrejs Rastorgujevs of Latvia shot clean for the Silver medal, the first IBU WCH medal of his career, the first-ever for Lativa, while equaling his career best result, 15.1 seconds back. France’s Quentin Fillon Maillet, with two penalties, won the Bronze medal, 33 seconds back; the first individual medal of these Championships for the French men’s team.

JT’s brother Tarjei finished fourth, with two penalties, 42.1 seconds back. France’s Fabien Claude with two penalties finished fifth, 1:02.5 back. Slovenia’s Jakov Fak, with one penalty finished sixth, 1:10.9 back.

Fillon Maillet Leads Early

Sunshine, +9C, windless conditions and 29,000 fans set up the final competition day. Fillon Maillet got off the first shot in the first prone, then cleaned, leading seven out in seven seconds. JT. with a penalty, fell 23 seconds back.

The leading quartet: Fillon Maillet, Benedikt Doll, Rastorgujevs and Tarjei cleaned the second prone in rapid succession; JT matched, 13 seconds back. Several hundred meters later JT joined the leaders.

Fillon Maillet pushed the pace into the first standing. Only JT and Rastorgujevs cleaned; the Yellow Bib leaving first. Fillon Maillet followed in third, 17 seconds off the leader’s pace. JT quickly left the Latvian behind, with Fillon Maillet and Tarjei following.

BMW IBU World Championships Nove Mesto na Morave Men's 15 km Mass Start

Setting the Podium

The Yellow Bib was up by over a dozen seconds coming to the last standing; he cleaned easily, giving him the Gold medal. Rastorgujevs and Fillon Maillet matched for Silver and Bronze.

Photos: IBU/ Vianney Thibaut, Nordic Focus

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