"To be the best in the world for this day"

Samuelsson called his win, “Amazing. I will always remember that I won the last race of Johannes and Tarjei Boe. That is something special.” Regarding his finish and crowd engagement in the final 200 meters, “It is a dream for a young…or not so young anymore guy from Sweden to be in this big Arena, Holmenkollen and be the best in the world for this day! It was amazing to go over the last hill and make some jokes with the spectators and then to celebrate.”

France’s Eric Perrot, with one penalty finished second. 5.6 seconds back. Norway’s Endre Stroemsheim shot clean in third place, 9.3 seconds back.

Yellow Bib and World cup Total Score Winner Sturla Holm Laegreid finished fourth, with one penalty, 21.1 seconds back. His fourth place gave the Norwegian the World Cup Mass Start Score title by a single point over Perrot. France’s Quentin Fillon Maillet, with three penalties finished fifth, 30.7 seconds back.

Slovenia’s Jakov Fak shot clean, outsprinting the retiring Norwegian star Johannes Thingnes Boe for sixth place. 40.9 seconds back to JT’s 41.1 seconds back.

“Last finish line we will cross”

JT and Tarjei were honored for their outstanding careers at the finish by their teammates who showered them with champagne. Both enjoyed the moment and the weekend with JT saying, “Coming at Holmenkollen, doing it here in Holmenkollen, we had a journey as a family. This is the last finish line we cross in the World Cup. I have been so happy to do it with you, Tarjei.”

The elder brother responded, “It is an incredible day. I am just so happy to come to the start and enjoy it. I feel the next life starting now, but also this day when I crossed the finish line. Every athlete and teammate so happy and so kind and said some very nice words. I just tried to sink it in.”