It was a step forward for Martin Ponsiluoma, who has had enormous problems with shooting this winter. However, no podium position was achieved in Friday's World Cup sprint in Oberhof.
Second fastest of all
Two new misses – one in prone, one in standing – were enough for a 12th place and a tie for the season's best individual result. Up to the winner, Frenchman Quentin Fillon Maillet (shot full), he had over 50 seconds to the finish.
I tried to take one shot at a time. Today, I didn't analyze the misses too much, and I think that's the important thing, to be able to shoot on and not get stuck on a miss. Because then there's a risk it becomes more, says Martin Ponsiluoma to SVT.
Positive was also that Ponsiluoma was the second fastest of all in the track. The performance means a good starting position for Saturday's pursuit, where the top 60 from the sprint qualified.
I'm absolutely satisfied with this result. It's an okay starting position for tomorrow, it'll be fun to finally get to chase a bit higher up in a pursuit, says Ponsiluoma.
Half-satisfied Samuelsson
Sebastian Samuelsson, Jesper Nelin, and Viktor Brandt, all with two misses for the day, will also participate in the pursuit. Samuelsson, who was sick during the Christmas break, finished 20th (+1.13), Nelin 24th (+1.20), and Brandt 43rd (+1.56).
If you think about the fact that I had a fever a week ago, it's okay. But it's clear that it's hard to be satisfied, I want to do better, says Samuelsson to SVT.
I'm 30 seconds from the fastest skiing time, so it's not a catastrophe, but I don't want to be here and finish 20th, then I might as well be at home watching TV instead.
The podium was all-French, with Frenchmen also in eighth and tenth place. Behind Quentin Fillon Maillet, Fabien Claude shot full and took second place. Émilien Jacquelin, one miss, finished third.
