After 209 World Cup starts, the Borås native from Östersund was finally able to step up to third after a very varied and exciting mass start in Oslo. He had a chance at second but had to give way in the last kilometer to the German veteran Benedikt Doll.
The shooting was decisive for who would be in the fight for the top positions.
Both Martin and Sebastian shot full in the first place and took the lead, while the World Cup leader Johannes Thingnes Bø got three (!) rounds and never got back into the victory discussion.
When Ponsiluoma missed second in the second shot, Samuelsson filled in and went up to the sole lead. Nelin had 0+1 in lying down and was a little further down in the group.
A round for “Sebbe” in the third shoot saw him chasing 15 seconds behind Doll and Tarjei Bø who were both flawless so far. Nelin fired full in the third while Ponsiluoma got two more rounds,.
This led to a duel between Doll and big brother Bø where both missed. Two rounds for the German, three for the Norwegian. It opened up for the bunch behind as well as Sebastian Samuelsson, who at full shooting had gone out in the lead alone.
But “Sebbe” also cracked and got three rounds. The fastest out was Sturla Holm Lægreid. He held off all the way and took his second win in two races at Holmenkollen this week.
Behind Nelin chased, leaving the Germans Doll and Strelow behind. But experienced Doll managed the power better and passed Jesper at the entrance to the stadium. This resulted in a third place. It was the first podium of his career in the World Cup, even though he has Olympic gold in the relay.
No wonder Jesper Nelin cheered over the finish line.
Martin Ponsiluoma shot full in the last standing and moved up to 9th while Sebastian Samuelsson fell back and finished as 13th man.
The ladies’ mass start was also dramatic, unfortunately without any Swedes at the very top. Elvira Öberg already got two rounds in the first shoot and added three more in her first standing. When she also flipped out on the track, it didn’t work, Elvira finished 9th.
Mona Brorsson and Anna Magnusson had the lead early in the race, but both missed and Anna was 13th while Mona was 15th.
The Swiss Lena Häcki-Gross took her second World Cup victory in impressive fashion. Flawless standing shooting was the key and French WC heroines Julia Simon and Lou Jeanmonnot were relegated to second and third ahead of World Cup leader Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold.
You will find the results here.
