Last Loop Heroics Propel Laegreid to Sprint Gold

Norway’s Sturla Holm Laegreid left the standing stage after shooting clean in this evening’s IBU World Championships Men’s 10 km Sprint with a slim 7.9 second lead over defending champion Johannes Thingnes Boe. Laegreid lost that margin with 900 meters to go, but recovered with a furious final few hundred meters to win his third career individual IBU WCH Gold medal in 25:23.9, punching the sky in delight as he crossed the finish line.

“This is the moment!”

Laegreid knew that despite falling behind, today was his best chance to become a Sprint World Champion. “When I heard I was just behind him at the last timing point, I thought, ‘Sturla, you have to dig for it! It is maybe your biggest chance to become a World champion in the sprint. This is the moment!” So, I just focused on the skiing, pushing, hitting every (step) and it was incredible as I was crossing the finish line…unbelievable!”

“Did not think I could beat Johannes”

The victory was special for Laegreid who mad his BMW IBU World Cup debut in Nove Mesto, albeit in an empty stadium due to Covid-19. “First of all, I did not think I could beat Johannes. I have been second so many times. That’s incredible! Here in Nove Mesto was where it all started for me four years ago, but it was without spectators. Today I got to share this World Championships victory with the crazy fans here in Czechia. I am so happy!”

Laegreid’s Gold medal topped a Norwegian podium sweep. JT, with one penalty, won the Silver medal, 3.5 seconds back. Vetle Sjaastad Christiansen, also with one penalty took the Bronze medal, 18.6 seconds back.

France’s Eric Perrot, with one penalty finished fourth, 28.9 seconds back with the second-best result of his career and a big step up from 49th in last year in Oberhof. Sweden’s Sebastian Samuelsson shot clean in fifth place, his best result since the Crthistmas break, 36.6 seconds back. Tarjei Boe, with two penalties finished sixth, 37.5 seconds back, giving Norway four of the top six finishers.

Favorable Conditions

The men had a warm +9C evening with moderate winds and a Vysocina Arena capacity crowd. Despite favorable shooting conditions, Tarjei, JT and Christiansen all missed a prone shot. The t-shirt clad Perrot cleaned with the fastest prone stage. Laegreid, starting mid-way through the field matched, leaving just behind Perrot.

Perfect Standing Stages

The Yellow Bib made up for his prone penalty, cleaning standing for the lead. Perrot missed once, leaving 11 seconds back. Christiansen recovered with a clean stage, putting him ahead Perrot. Laegreid matched, taking a seven-second lead setting up the last loop battle.

2024 BMW IBU World Championships Nove Mesto na Morave Men's 10 km Sprint

Laegreid’s Emotional Finish

JT, full gas in the last loop, looked like the winner momentarily. Laegreid, a half-second behind JT at 9.1 km gathered himself, pressing the next 800 meters for the victory, and the flood of finish line emotions.

Photos: IBU/ Vianney Thibaut, Nordic Focus

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