Norway’s Sturla Holm Laegreid, despite a penalty in each standing stage controlled the last half of the Oberhof Men’s 12.5 km Pursuit, skiing to a 33:25.5 victory with teammates Tarjei and JT Boe competing the podium. This afternoon’s victory was Laegreid’s first of the 2024/25 season while the Norwegian podium sweep matched the French sweep in the sprint.

“This was a chance for me”

Laegreid knew that today was one of those fairly rare days to win a World Cup competition. “It was so great to take my first victory of the season. There are not many chances we get through the season to claim a victory. Going into the last shooting, I knew this was a chance for me. I had to take it with both hands and I am so happy that I managed it!”

“It was our turn”

Sweeping the podium was particularly pleasing after getting blanked by their French rivals yesterday. “We got a lot of BS from them. It is always nice to do well. But now it was our turn to strike back. I am happy my team managed to best them.”

Another Boedium followed Laegreid with Tarjei jumping from 16th to second on one penalty shooting, 5.2 seconds back while JT with three penalties moved from 13th to third, 19.7 seconds back.

Sprint winner Quentin Fillon Maillet of France in fourth, with five penalties outsprinted teammate Eric Perrot with three penalties for fourth place, 23.6 to 23.7 seconds back. Ukraine’s Dmytro Pidruchnyi with three penalties finished sixth, 25.8 seconds back.

The sun was out for the first time this week by the time the men started their first pursuit of 2025.

Photos: IBU/ Vianney Thibaut, Nordic Focus