Viktor Brandt and Jesper Nelin were forced to take two and five extra shots, respectively, on the two initial stages, and Ponsiluoma went out as twelfth, a whole 1.09 from the lead.
But through brilliant cross-country skiing (almost half a minute faster than anyone else on the stage) and only two extra shots, Martin Ponsiluoma drove Sweden up to third place. He handed over to Sebastian Samuelsson on the final stage, 41 seconds behind leading France and just behind second-placed Slovenia.
Had a tough season
I'm incredibly pleased today. It feels incredibly stable in prone and then I have to fight a lot in standing, but that's how it is when you have to go hard on the track. But I'm really pleased with 1+1 in reserve shots and the skiing also responds well, says Ponsiluoma to SVT.
The 29-year-old has otherwise had a hard time getting it together in the World Cup this season.
But I've had a better and better feeling for each competition after the Christmas break. I'm really taking that with me to the upcoming competitions, says Ponsiluoma.
"Fantastic relay"
Samuelsson quickly passed Slovenia's Lovro Planko. One extra shot in prone and full shooting in standing, combined with strong skiing, was enough to secure a clear second place, 38.4 seconds behind the equally superior winner France, where the final man Émilien Jacquelin kept his nerves in check.
A fantastic relay all the way through. We're really doing the job all four of us. And it's great fun to run a relay here in the biathlon mecca, and to do it so well, says Sebastian Samuelsson.
Germany became third and Norway, which was forced to take three penalty rounds, became fourth.
