16.02.2020 - Jacquelin outdoes the superstar
The first week of the World Championships in Anterselva ended on Sunday with a nail-biting final.
In the final sprint, outsider Emilien Jacquelin passed Johannes Thingnes Bø and became the new pursuit World Champion. It was the first ever victory for the 24-year old athlete from France.
On Sunday afternoon Jacquelin caused the next big surprise at the title fights in the Südtirol Arena. Following his sixth place in the sprint, he blossomed in the pursuit race and left the tops stars of the scene behind. With a faultless performance in the shooting range he catapulted himself to the front. However, as strong runner Johannes Thingnes Bø also picked up his gun for the last time and both started the final lap together, indications were that he would be finishing with a Silver medal. The two competitors fought a tactical battle before Jacquelin picked up speed and left Bø with no further opportunity for an attack on the last few meters. The incredible surprise was complete.
Another podium place for Logniov
For Jacqueline it was the first individual medal at a large biathlon event and his first World Cup victory ever. Bø could console himself with his first individual medal at a World Championship event in Anterselva after he had just missed out on a podium place in the spring and come in fourth. In the pursuit, this thankless place was reserved for Bø’s perennial rival, Martin Fourcade, who had to run two penalty circuits, leaving the field clear for Alexander Logniov to finish in third place. The sprint World Champion from Russia enjoyed his second medal in 24 hours.
Lukas Hofer delivered a good performance in the track and again finished as the first among the Italians. Following 4 shooting errors, he had to contend with 20th place. The other biathletes from the host nation, Thomas Bormolini (45th) and Dominik Windisch (51st) feel further back following 4 and 7 penalty circuits respectively.
Results World Championships Anterselva, Men’s Pursuit (Sunday, 16. February 2020)
1. Emilien Jacquelin (FRA) 25.37,4 (0)
2. Johannes Thingnes Boe (NOR) +0,1 (2)
3. Alexander Loginov (RUS) +8,7 (1)
4. Martin Fourcade (FRA) +34,6 (2)
5. Arnd Pfeiffer (GER) +50,9 (1)
6. Tarjei Boe (NOR) +1.03,4 (2)
7. Quentin Fillon Maillet (FRA) +1.22,6 (6)
8. Simon Desthieux (FRA) +1.30,0 (1)
9. Felix Leitner (AUT) +1.31,4 (2)
10. Vetle Sjaastad Christiansen (NOR) +1.39,6 (1)
20. Lukas Hofer (ITA) + 2.27,6 (4)
41. Thomas Bormolini (ITA) +3.41,6 (4)
54. Dominik Windisch (ITA) +5.00,6 (7)
Comments on the race:
Emilien Jacquelin, France (1st place): “It was incredibly exciting race; the outcome was open right up to the last second. That I can celebrate my first World Championship victory ever is indescribable. I hope that I can build on this achievement in the next races.”
Johannes Thingnes Bø, Norway (2. place): “At the end I was a little short of energy. I am very happy with this second place, and I can now rest for a day which is important. I hope will be there right in the front field again in the coming races.
Alexander Loginov, Russia (3rd place): “Everything went according to plan. I am very happy to have got another medal. Let it continue like this. I didn’t mind the criticism in the past few days, I only concentrate on the races.”
On Sunday afternoon Jacquelin caused the next big surprise at the title fights in the Südtirol Arena. Following his sixth place in the sprint, he blossomed in the pursuit race and left the tops stars of the scene behind. With a faultless performance in the shooting range he catapulted himself to the front. However, as strong runner Johannes Thingnes Bø also picked up his gun for the last time and both started the final lap together, indications were that he would be finishing with a Silver medal. The two competitors fought a tactical battle before Jacquelin picked up speed and left Bø with no further opportunity for an attack on the last few meters. The incredible surprise was complete.
Another podium place for Logniov
For Jacqueline it was the first individual medal at a large biathlon event and his first World Cup victory ever. Bø could console himself with his first individual medal at a World Championship event in Anterselva after he had just missed out on a podium place in the spring and come in fourth. In the pursuit, this thankless place was reserved for Bø’s perennial rival, Martin Fourcade, who had to run two penalty circuits, leaving the field clear for Alexander Logniov to finish in third place. The sprint World Champion from Russia enjoyed his second medal in 24 hours.
Lukas Hofer delivered a good performance in the track and again finished as the first among the Italians. Following 4 shooting errors, he had to contend with 20th place. The other biathletes from the host nation, Thomas Bormolini (45th) and Dominik Windisch (51st) feel further back following 4 and 7 penalty circuits respectively.
Results World Championships Anterselva, Men’s Pursuit (Sunday, 16. February 2020)
1. Emilien Jacquelin (FRA) 25.37,4 (0)
2. Johannes Thingnes Boe (NOR) +0,1 (2)
3. Alexander Loginov (RUS) +8,7 (1)
4. Martin Fourcade (FRA) +34,6 (2)
5. Arnd Pfeiffer (GER) +50,9 (1)
6. Tarjei Boe (NOR) +1.03,4 (2)
7. Quentin Fillon Maillet (FRA) +1.22,6 (6)
8. Simon Desthieux (FRA) +1.30,0 (1)
9. Felix Leitner (AUT) +1.31,4 (2)
10. Vetle Sjaastad Christiansen (NOR) +1.39,6 (1)
20. Lukas Hofer (ITA) + 2.27,6 (4)
41. Thomas Bormolini (ITA) +3.41,6 (4)
54. Dominik Windisch (ITA) +5.00,6 (7)
Comments on the race:
Emilien Jacquelin, France (1st place): “It was incredibly exciting race; the outcome was open right up to the last second. That I can celebrate my first World Championship victory ever is indescribable. I hope that I can build on this achievement in the next races.”
Johannes Thingnes Bø, Norway (2. place): “At the end I was a little short of energy. I am very happy with this second place, and I can now rest for a day which is important. I hope will be there right in the front field again in the coming races.
Alexander Loginov, Russia (3rd place): “Everything went according to plan. I am very happy to have got another medal. Let it continue like this. I didn’t mind the criticism in the past few days, I only concentrate on the races.”
