JT Boe Victorious in Annecy Le Grand Bornand Pursuit
Norway’s Johannes Thingnes Boe after just missing victory in Thursday’s sprint was determined not to see a repeat in this afternoon’s Annecy Le Grand Bornand Men’s 12.5 km Pursuit. The Red/Yellow Bib, taking control after cleaning the second prone stage skied away from the field for a one-penalty 31:25.4 victory.
“Who cares if I miss…I was first at the finish”
The winner admitted that he was focused, “I felt good. I was calm in prone. It was building up for the last shooting, the pressure. I think everyone saw my mistake. I was pulling with my shoulder into the rifle and it turned down ( a big very low miss). I hit the last four, was tired in the last loop, but in the end it is all about winning. So, who cares if I miss or not? I was first in the finish!”
“Number one place in the World Cup now”
JT’s 88th career victory, 11 years after his first and ninth in the Sylvie Becaert Stadium, called the venue, “The number one place in the World Cup now. I love to be here. The fans loves us as well. We fight together on the track. There is so much energy. This is what we love about our sport.”
Perrot, Jacquelin: “sharing…really big”
The French duo of clean-shooting Eric Perrot and Emilien Jacquelin, with two penalties delighted the crowd, finishing second and third, 27.6 and 47.5 seconds back. Jacquelin enjoyed every moment, “I take more pleasure on the track and shooting range than on the podium. I hope people took a lot of pleasure…It is nice to have this feeling that we shared something together.” Perrot added, “I completely agree; to do the show on the track and shooting range is big and to share it with Emilien who was in front of me for the whole race. The last one was close, so it was cool to feel that we could do a double. To share it with teammates and family here is really big!”
Boe’s teammate Vebjoern Soerum with two penalties, finished fourth, 57.5 seconds back. Sweden’s Sebastian Samuelsson with five penalties, finished fifth, 1:03.6 back, just ahead of Norway’s Sturla Holm Laegreid, 1:05 back with three penalties.
Perfect Biathlon Day
Pursuit Saturday was a perfect biathlon day: clear skies, temperature at freezing, no shooting range wind. and a packed stadium. Sprint winner Martin Uldal and JT cleaned the first prone simultaneously. Jacquelin and Laegreid matched, 31 seconds back. JT cleaned the second prone, heading out solo; Uldal had two penalties. Jacquelin, Samuelsson and Laegreid all cleaned, 23 seconds back.
2024/25 BMW IBU World Cup 3 Annecy Le Gand Bornand Men's 12.5 km Pursuit
One Standing Penalty
Five perfectly centered shots in the first standing; JT was gone. Jacquelin missed a shot 44 seconds back, with Perrot third, 7 seconds back.
The leader missed his first shot in the last standing by a wide margin; it made no difference, victory was assured. Perrot cleaned, moving to second ahead of Jacquelin, setting the podium.
Photos: IBU/Christian Manzoni, Nordic Focus
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