“Had energy all the way to the end”
JT’s 37th career sprint win, by the largest-ever time margin in a men’s sprint, set an all-time record. “It was one of my best sprints, probably my best race so far this year. I really enjoyed it. My skis were excellent. My shooting was also really good. From the start to the finish, I found a great pace and had energy all the way to the end.”
83 World Cup Victories
He also matched Martin Fourcade’s record 83 World Cup victories. “It means a lot. It is also a nice time, my 83rd victory. There is a god of biathlon that has the same, so it is a great day…I will try (to pass him tomorrow).”
Today’s win padded JT’s lead in the World Cup Total Score, upping his total to 1082 points, flowed by Tarjei at 990 points, with two only this weekend’s pursuit and mass start remaining.
Italy’s Giacomel with one penalty equaled his season and personal best in second place, 1:02.7 back. JT’s brother Tarjei, also with a single penalty finished third, 1:04.2 back, winning the World Cup Sprint Score for the second time in his career, 14 years after his previous win in 2011.
France’s Emilien Jacquelin finished fourth, 1:12.2 back. Norway’s Johan-Olav Botn shot clean in fifth place 1:13.2 back. Sweden’s Sebastian Samuelsson finished sixth, 1:16.3 back, with one penalty, the same as Jacquelin.
Photos: IBU/Christian Manzoni