Laegreid Doubles Up with Holmenkollen Mass Start Win
Norway’s Sturla Holm Laegreid came to the last standing stage 35 seconds back, shot clean as the leaders struggled with penalties and skied to victory, taking the Oslo Holmenkollen Men’s 15 km Mass start in 37:52. Laegreid with one penalty in the first prone fell back to 17th, cleaned the next three stages, sealing the win. After never winning previously in Oslo, Laegreid doubled his home stadium win total from one to two after capturing the 20 km Individual less than 24 hours ago.
Enjoying the Victory
Laegreid enjoyed the final 100 meters of his victory, throwing his arms up saluting the crowd as he finished off a hard competition. “It was amazing to celebrate with the fans in the stadium, family and friends. It was incredible!”
“If he does not take it, I can”
He admitted the win seemed remote that after his only penalty, but persevered. “I missed the first shot today and thought, ‘yesterday I was 20-out-of -20, so this is unnecessary.’ I just kept calm and did a job. I saw Tarjei leading and though he could have it, because he deserves it. But when I saw he had mistakes in the last standing, I thought if he does not take it, I can.”
Jesper Nelin’s First-ever Individual Podium
Germany’s Bendikt Doll in the lead group the whole competition surged from third place in the last loop, powering up the final hill behind the shooting range to finish second, with two penalties, 6.4 seconds back. Sweden’s Jesper Nelin who won an Olympic Relay Gold medal in 2018 claimed his first-ever individual podium in third place, with one penalty, 9.9 seconds back.
France’s Fabien Claude finished in a season-best fourth place with two penalties, 15.3 seconds back. Teammate Emilien Jacquelin with three penalties finished fifth, 17.7 seconds back. Doll’s teammate Philipp Nawrath finished sixth, with one penalty 18.6 seconds back.
Wet, Rainy Afternoon: Samuelsson Leads
Rain and a cold-feeling 3C made for an uncomfortable late afternoon competition at Holmenkollen. Martin Ponsiluoma, Sebastian Samuelsson and Tarjei cleaned the first prone with the wind gusting, leading the pack out of the stadium Doll trailing in fifth. Samuelsson cleaned the second prone first taking a 6.7-second lead over Tarjei and almost 9 seconds on Doll.
The Swede missed his last shot in the first standing opening the door for Tarjei and Doll who cleaned, taking over the top spots. Samuelsson fell back to third, 15 seconds back with a large pack including Laegreid chasing.
2024 BMW IBU World Cup 7 Oslo Holmenkollen Men's 15 km Mass Start
Laegreid Cleans, Skis to Victory
Entering the last standing, the leading duo was 20 seconds up on Samuelsson. Everything changed when all three went to the penalty loop. Laegreid cleaned Doll left the loop 7.9 seconds back with Nelin alongside.
Laegreid powered through the last loop, ensuring the win as Nelin and Doll dueled for second until the final uphill where Doll pulled away securing second over his Swedish rival.
Photos: IBU/Dmytro Yevenko, Christian Manzoni
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