Career-first Victory for Eric Perrot in Soldier Hollow Sprint

France’s Eric Perrot cleaned prone, did the same in standing, leaving in second position, then moving into the lead at the 8.4 km split, and holding the top spot to the finish in this afternoon’s Soldier Hollow Men’s 10 km Sprint for his first-ever BMW IBU World Cup victory. Perrot’s 22:19.8 victory, the first individual victory of the season for the French men’s team bettered his previous career-best third place last season in the Oestersund Mass Start.

“I wanted to do my best”

The 22-year-old Perrot, after a hard day (two penalties) in the men’s relay came into the sprint focused on doing well. “It was a tough day yesterday for the whole team and myself. Today I wanted to get revenge. I wanted to do my best and do good biathlon. I was really focused on my shooting because I knew it would be really tough conditions out there. I focused on it and it is not often that I shoot clean. I am really proud of that. In the last run, I saw the possibility to take it and gave everything. I am so proud it is in the right way now.”

At the finish, “I was so tired. I just saw I was number one. That is crazy. I was proud of myself because I did a great job; that was my goal today. I can’t say more than that!”

Botn Third in Fourth-ever World Cup Start

Perrot was joined on the podium by teammate Emilien Jacquelin in second place, 3.9 seconds back with two penalties. Jacquelin’s second place was a season-best and his first podium this season. Norway’s Johan-Olav Botn shot clean to finish in a huge career- Botn best third place 11.3 seconds back. Botn in only his fourth-ever World Cup start improved on his previous best 24th place in the Oberhof Pursuit last January. He spent most of the season in the IBU Cup, racking up 11 individual podiums, also winning two IBU OECH Silver medals last month in Brezno/Osrblie.

Sturla Holm Laegreid, after struggling with penalties in yesterday’s men’s relay rebounded for fourth place, with one penalty, 12.9 seconds back. Sweden’s Sebastian Samuelsson shot clean but finished fifth, 16.3 seconds back. Campbell Wright of USA continued his rise this season in a career-best sixth place, with one penalty, 20 seconds back, topping his previous 8th place best set last week in the Oslo Holmenkollen 20 km Individual.

Photos: IBU/Christian Manzoni

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