Germany’s Erik Lesser came to the last standing stage of this afternoon’s men’s 12.5 km pursuit in second position, 30 seconds behind Norway’s Sturla Holm Laegreid, but the German cleaned while Laegreid missed twice, ceding the lead and the victory to Lesser. Lesser went 20-for-20 in his 32:03.8 win, the German’s first victory since winning the 2016 Ruhpolding mass start over Martin Fourcade. France’s Quentin Fillon Maillet, with one penalty finished second, 9.4 seconds back. Laegreid with three penalties finished third, 22. 7 seconds back.

Sweden’s Sebastian Samuelsson, with two penalties, finished fourth, 1:04.9 back. Laegreid’s teammate Vetle Sjaastad Christiansen with two penalties finished fifth, 1:09.7 back while Samuelsson’s teammate Martin Ponsiluoma, with three penalties finished sixth, 1:31.3 back.

Fillon Maillet takes World Cup Pursuit Score

Fillon Maillet, wearing Yellow and Red stretched his winning margin in the World Cup Pursuit Score to 379 points over Samuelsson’s 282 points. The French star received his second crystal trophy of the weekend at the Flower Ceremony.

Focused on mass start, not globe

After receiving globe number two, the biggest prize, the World Cup Total Score Crystal Globe awaits tomorrow, but Fillon Maillet was not thinking about that, but the next and final competition of the season. “I do not think about the Globe too much. I need to ski fast, manage my speed on the skis, precision on prone shooting, stability in standing. I expect a globe tomorrow, but I will stay focused on me, and my strategy (for the mass start) and we will see.”

Final pursuit bragging rights

Great conditions and the spectacular crowd prevailed for the final men’s pursuit of the season. With Fillon Maillet already taken the World Cup Pursuit Score title, this one was as much about bragging rights as anything. Simply, can he win another four-stage competition? Laegreid held his advantage over the first 2.5 km loop, fired five shots at the prone targets, closed them all and was two steps out of the range before Fillon Maillet and Samuelsson hit the mats. They also cleaned going out in tandem at 28 seconds back with Lesser also perfect at 35 seconds behind Laegreid.

Lesser, Samuelsson close the gap

With Laegreid out in a world of his own, Lesser moved up with the Swedish/French duo by the 3.4 km split. Laegreid missed his second shot in the second prone stage. Lesser and Samuelsson cleaned quickly to close the gap down to 11 seconds as Laegreid exited the penalty loop. Fillon Maillet had a penalty, dropping to fifth behind the clean-shooting Nawrath. Christiansen moved up to sixth, on the Yellow Bib’s shoulder.

Laegreid total control

First standing stage: good focus, a 5-for-5 and Laegreid was back in total control. Lesser cleaned for the third time, solidifying his second position, 20 seconds back. Fillon Maillet bounced back with a clean stage, moving into third, but 38 seconds behind the Norwegian leader, with Christiansen and Samuelsson next at over a minute back.

Lesser shoots brilliantly for the lead

Feeling some pressure Laegreid faltered, picking up two penalty loops. Lesser with everything to gain shot brilliantly and clean to go 13 seconds up on who else but the dangerous Yellow Bib who cleaned his second consecutive stage. Laegreid was on his shoulder as they left for the last loop.

Erik skis to third career victory

Lesser was not about to be topped, maintaining the same pace, holding the chasers at bay over the whole last loop. Laegreid and Fillon Maillet were at the same time battling not for the win but second place. That is until the Yellow Bib tried to go for the win, closing in on Lesser. However, by the last corner behind the shooting range, Lesser looked back, seeing his French rival was not Superman and would not catch him. The 2015 IBU Pursuit World Champion skied into the finish with his arms crossed and held high in victory and collapsing at the finish in disbelief with the third win of his career. Laegreid completed the podium in third place.

Photos: IBU/Christian Manzoni