Isak Frey and Ida Lien, both from Norway, are the winners of the Pursuit at the IBU Cup in Idre Fjall, Sweden. They both built up on their Sprint wins and remained in control throughout the race, defined by strong wind gusts and high temperatures.

Withstanding the wind and his teammates’ pressure, Frey wins again

The men’s 12.5km pursuit at Idre Fjall was another strong showing for Norway. With consistent speed and accuracy under pressure, Frey maintained his lead throughout the race, finishing at 33:48.4 and only two misses for his career-second IBU Cup Sprint-Pursuit double. Johan-Olav Botn secured second place, 30.6 seconds behind Frey, despite five penalty loops. Martin Uldal completed the all-Norwegian podium, finishing in third, 54 seconds behind Frey, with three penalties. Uldal achieved a podium finish in all three competitions in Idre Fjall.

THE WINNER’S WORDS - ISAK FREY

Sivert Guttorm Bakken and Sverre Dahlen Aspenes, both from Norway, finished fourth and fifth respectively, while Lucas Fratzscher from Germany took sixth place after a close finish with his teammate Simon Kaiser.

Lien keeps her nerves in check for another win

Lien finished with a time of 32:24.6, overcoming four shooting penalties through her strong skiing. Germany’s Anna Weidel - with clean shooting in important moments - came in second, just 35.8 seconds behind, with only two penalties. Camille Bened of France took third place, finishing 1:22.7 behind Lien, despite accumulating five penalties.

THE WINNER’S WORDS - IDA LIEN

Paula Botet of France and Marion Wiesensarter of Germany finished fourth and fifth respectively, with Siri Skar of Norway completing the top six.

Photo: Per Danielsson: IBU Photo Pool