Quentin Fillon Maillet put on a show. The Frenchman won the gold, 13.7 seconds ahead of Norwegian Vetle Sjåstad Christiansen. Sturla Holm Lægreid took the bronze, just behind his national team colleague.
Samuelsson had the third-fastest time, but had to settle for fifth place after losing time on the track, where he was eighth overall.
"It's mixed feelings. I think it's one of the five best races of my career, even. But of course I'm disappointed that it's only good enough for fifth place," he says.
“A perfect performance”
Could you have done something differently?
Nothing, I think. Seriously, the loading has been perfect. Today I'm putting in a perfect performance, shooting clean in 46 seconds. That's really fast. I'm having a top race, but some people are doing better.
I can't do anything but perform as well as possible. The four people ahead of me did just fine. I'm very proud that I'm having the best race of the season at the Olympics. Sometimes that can be enough to win, but today it wasn't.
Instead of getting upset, he looks ahead to the chase start - and a new chance for a medal. Samuelsson starts 25 seconds behind Fillon Maillet.
"It's a fantastic starting point. I'm trying to think about it," he says.
Ponsiluoma just behind
Martin Ponsiluoma had the third-fastest time, but two missed shots ruined his chance of a medal. He finished seventh. Ponsiluoma will start 46 seconds behind Fillon Maillet on Sunday.
I feel like I have a very good feeling going into the pursuit start. 46 seconds is not much in a pursuit start. A lot can happen. I have (Johannes) Dale Skjevdal in front of me. I think we can help each other.
The skiing is good; now he just has to shoot clean as well.
It's a really nice series, actually. But you have to set the shots too. I felt right away when I set off that I had great skis. I really have to thank my trainer, says Ponsiluoma.
Malte Stefansson made his Olympic debut with two misses, then missed in the standing shooting and finished 43rd.
"I'm glad I didn't completely collapse after a difficult start. There was probably a subconscious excitement going forward," he says.
For Jesper Nelin it was a dark day with five misses in total. He finished 72nd and missed the chase start.
