“Not thinking about winning”

Jacquelin tried to not focus on the place but do his best since after not feeling well yesterday. “The most important thing is not thinking about winning or podium. Today, I just focused on doing the best race I could. I felt a little bit sick yesterday; you can hear it in my voice. So today, I was just focused on, ‘maybe I am in not the best shape. I can still shoot clean. I can have the best pace I can all race long and we will what happens.’ No matter what I can do a good race, so I am happy I made it!”

“Nove Mesto podium on my bucket list”

Italy’s IBU WCH 20 km Silver medalist Tommaso Giacomel with one penalty powered through the last loop for second place, 19.8 seconds back. Giacomel’s speedy last loop keyed his second place. “I felt good today, especially in the final loop. I thought I started a bit too fast, but actually I had good energy in the last loop and used it all. The result is amazing: a podium in Nove Mesto was on my bucket list. I am very happy.”

“The fans are amazing!”

Giacomel added, regarding the sold-out stadium and tracks, filled with boisterous fans. “It was incredibly loud. Before the start I tried to talk to my physiotherapist, but we could not understand each other…It was so loud. The fans in Czechia are amazing!”

JT Closes Gap on Sturla

Norway’s Johannes Thingnes Boe, after two prone penalties bounced back with a clean standing stage for third place, 20.9 seconds back. The five-time World Cup Total Score titlist remained in second place, but moved to10 points behind Yellow Bib Sturla Holm Laegreid who finished 14th today.