Once again, a Norwegian biathlete has claimed victory this season in the World Cup.
But this mass start from Oslo nevertheless has a small singularity: for once, neither of the two Boe brothers was on the podium.
While Tarjei, second in the general classification behind Johannes, was leading the race, the wind deceived him during his last shooting pass.
Sturla Lægreid, their compatriot, took the opportunity to score a double at home, after his victory in the individual event on Friday.
On the Blues side, two French people performed well: Fabien Claude, fourth, and Émilien Jacquelin, fifth.
If they were not perfect at shooting – the wind hampered the vast majority of participants – their speed on the skis often carried them towards a certain performance.
🇳🇴 Victory for Sturla Lægreid in this mass start!
🇫🇷 👏 Fabien Claude and Emilien Jacquelin finish 4th and 5th!#lequipeBIATHLON pic.twitter.com/2dt9L05B8I
— the L’Équipe channel (@lachainelequipe) March 2, 2024
Émilien Jacquelin appreciated his race on the microphone of La Chaîne L'Équipe: “It was a great race, physically but also on the shooting range.
One mistake too many to play wins, but at 17/20 shooting, I'm satisfied.
It's nice to be able to play up front and take shots like I know how to do.
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Fabien Claude shared this enthusiasm, even if he hoped for a little more.
“At the last shot, I heard the crowd and I saw that up front, many had missed.
There is still the small regret of not having stocked up, it would have been magnificent!
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The day was much less satisfactory for Quentin Fillon Maillet, fifteenth in this mass start.
He showed his disappointment after the race: “It's hard, I don't really know what happened.
With four faults, I'm too far away to play anything.
It was a bit of a race for points.
I skied alone for a long time, it was difficult.
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His compatriot Antonin Guigonnat finished just behind him.
A little further on, Éric Perrot settled for twentieth place.