KUEHN Johannes

Three weeks after his 30th birthday, Johannes Kuehn gave himself probably the best-ever belated birthday present, his first-ever BMW IBU World Cup victory, winning the men’s 10 km sprint at Hochfilzen. That first victory had been a long-time coming for the German, three days short of the ninth anniversary of his World Cup debut in the 2012 Pokljuka men’s sprint.

Germany’s Johannes Kuehn, in contention for the victory throughout the competition roared back with a powerful last loop after a standing penalty for his first-ever BMW IBU World Cup win, taking the Hochfilzen men’s 10 km sprint in 26:05. Sweden’s Martin Ponsiluoma matched Kuehn’s one-penalty shooting in second place, 14.3 seconds back. Belarusian Anton Smolski shot clean for a huge personal best and first-ever podium in third place, 20.5 seconds back.

Idre, Sweden welcomed the athletes with beautiful winter weather. In bright sunshine Marion Wiesensarter of Germany missed once in standing, but still proved to be the best sprinter today. In the men’s 10km competition Lucas Fratzscher, also missing one target, doubled the winning score for Germany.