France’s Quentin Fillon Maillet’s penalties in each of the two prone stages dropped him to 10th before the standing stages. The 2022 double Olympic Champion then proceeded to clean the first standing and the crucial last standing, as his rials went to the penalty loop, ensuring Fillon Maillet his 30:14.5 first-ever Oestersund victory. This afternoon’s win was his first in a pursuit since taking the Kontiolahti Pursuit in March 2022.

Feeling of victory is amazing”

Fillon Maillet described his 10th career pursuit victory, “Wow, what a day! Especially in the last shooting, we were seven athletes fighting for the win. I had the feeling I would fight hard in the last loop with some athletes (but it did not happen). I am really happy with my race today. The feeling of victory is amazing!”

“Stressful last shooting…gives me more energy and power”

The French veteran finds it hard to explain how he bested everyone in the pressure-packed last standing stage. “I can’t explain but I think to fight with some athletes in these crazy conditions in the last shooting is stressful but gives me more energy and power. I can’t fully explain but it worked.”

Sweden’s Sebastian Samuelsson, with two penalties battling Norway’s Johan-Olav Botn, also with two penalties for much of the afternoon prevailing in second place, 6.7 seconds back to Botn’s 10.3 seconds back in third. Botn retained the Yellow Bib heading to Hochfilzen next weekend.

Italy’s Tommy Giacomel, with two penalties, finished fourth, 15.2 seconds back. Fillon Maillet’s teammate Eric Perrot, with two penalties finished fifth, 16.2 seconds back. The USA’s Campbell Wright jumped from 18th at the start with clean shooting, 25 seconds back.

Photos: IBU/Per Danielsson, Christian Manzoni, Nordic Focus