Johannes Thingnes Bø from Norway clinched the victory today at the men’s 12.5km pursuit race during the Hochfilzen Biathlon World Cup with a time of 32:16.5, finishing with two missed targets.
Bø's performance was impressive as he managed to stay ahead of fierce competition, including Emilien Jacquelin of France, who finished just 3.5 seconds behind after starting the race 14th and recovering from a fall. Sturla Holm Lægreid, also from Norway, completed the podium finishing third, with only 3.8 seconds separating him from the top spot.
The full results of the race showed the intensity of the competition. Bø shot 0-0-1-1 throughout the event, which was enough to secure the win. Jacquelin managed to keep his shooting accurate with no penalties until the last round, where he shot 0-0-0-1, leading to his second-place finish. Lægreid also maintained strong shooting early on at 0-0-0-1 but had to settle for third place.
The top five competitors for the 12.5km pursuit race were:
- Johannes Thingnes Bø (NOR), (0-0-1-1), 32:16.5
- Emilien Jacquelin (FRA), (0-0-0-1), +3.5
- Sturla Holm Lægreid (NOR), (0-0-0-1), +3.8
- Sebastian Samuelsson (SWE), (0-0-2-1), +47.0
- Martin Uldal (NOR), (0-0-2-1), +47.6
This thrilling competition at Hochfilzen marks one of the highlights of the IBU Biathlon World Cup Season 2024/2025, taking place from December 13 to 15. The atmosphere was charged with excitement as elite national athletes engaged one another on the snow-covered tracks of Austria.
The cloudy weather conditions contrasted sharply with the preceding days, which had seen bright sunshine. Racers faced light winds as they navigated the course, making the race particularly challenging for all participants. "It was an incredible fight. You know, when you are in a race incident, we are close; he was attacking. I was behind. I had his back and when I went on the right of him, he cut in on the right. So, I can say sorry," said Bø, reflecting on the intense moments during the race where Jacquelin took a tumble.
Despite the fall, Jacquelin showcased his resilience by making up ground on Lægreid, sprinting past him within the last 20 meters, demonstrating the competitive spirit and athletic prowess typical of the biathlon circuit.
Following the Hochfilzen event, the biathlon tour continues to Annecy – Le Grand Bornand, France, and other notable locations such as Oberhof and Antholz-Anterselva, leading up to the World Championships. The crescendo of excitement will culminate at the final World Cup event slated for Oslo, Norway, where fans and athletes alike will celebrate the culmination of this thrilling season.
With each event bringing its own stories of triumph and challenges, the Biathlon World Cup not only showcases the physical capabilities of these athletes but highlights the camaraderie and sportsmanship present within this winter sport. Viewers and fans track their favorite athletes as they navigate through the demanding competition schedule and strive for podium finishes.
The Hochfilzen event has undoubtedly set the tone for the rest of the season, and fans are eager to see how the rankings will shift as the series progresses.
