A Frenchman shines in the Finnish floodlights

The mass start has its own rules - this was also proven by the first competition of this kind in the current season. A Frenchman took the win on Sunday afternoon in Kontiolahti.

08 December 2024

From: never

No Johannes Thingnes Bö, no Emilien Jacquelin - instead, Eric Perrot rose to become the unexpected hero in the first mass start of the season under the floodlights of Kontiolahti. The Frenchman exceeded his own expectations on Sunday afternoon and, thanks to an impressive performance on the shooting range, took his second individual victory in the World Cup.

In a few degrees below zero and calm wind conditions, Perrot only had one penalty lap and benefited from the high error rate of his competitors. Quentin Fillon Maillet, who secured the French double victory in second place, missed three targets (+9,1 seconds), while the Norwegian Sturla Holm Lägreid (3rd/+11,5) made two errors at the shooting range. In the end, Perrot had the eighth-best time on the track.

"It's very special," enthused Perrot in the official winner's interview. "I can hardly talk because I'm so cold. On the last lap I could hardly see anything

The German biathlete Danilo Riethmüller caused a small sensation. The 25-year-old was in the fight for victory until the last standing stage, but then had to go into the penalty loop. This ultimately cost Riethmüller his first podium in the World Cup, and in the final reckoning he was 6,2 seconds behind Lägreid.

Azzurri with a used day – Perrot takes yellow

The Azzurri, on the other hand, had little reason to celebrate. Tommaso Giacomel (23rd/+2:12,5 minutes) and Didier Bionaz (28th/+3:09,6) each completed a total of seven penalty laps and had to accept placings at the back of the field. Sprint winner Jacquelin also suffered a setback, with Perrot's compatriot crossing the finish line in 14th place (5 penalty laps/+1:22,2).

Tommaso Giacomel did not make the leap forward. © ANSA / KIMMO BRANDT

There were some changes in the overall ranking. Johannes Thingnes Bö fell back to third place with 159 points after his ninth place in the mass start and had to give up the yellow jersey of the overall leader to triumphant Perrot (165). Lägreid now appears to be in second place (164).