Norway’s Johan-Olav Botn, wearing the Yellow Bib for the first time in his career, defended the top spot with his second consecutive victory in this afternoon’s Oestersund Men’s 10 km Sprint. After shooting clean and dominating the Men’s 20 km Individual on Wednesday, he opened the season with a second consecutive victory, the first man to open the season with two consecutive victories since France’s Martin Fourcade in 2016, also in Oestersund. Botn cleaned prone 15 seconds off the lead, but picked up speed in the next loop, cleaned standing easily, romping to a 24:26.3 triumph.

Botn’s teammate Martin Uldal shot clean, finishing second to Botn for the second consecutive day, 11.1 seconds back. France’s Quentin Fillon Maillet shot clean, 25 seconds back in third place.

Norway’s Sturla Holm Laegreid with one penalty just edged local hero Sebastian Samuelsson, also with a penalty, 25 to 25.1 seconds back. Vetle Sjaastad Christiansen shot clean in sixth, 29.7 seconds back, giving Norway 4 of the top 6 finishers. Photos: IBU/Per Danielsson, Christian Manzoni, Nordic Focus