Biathlon superstar Johannes Thingnes Bø was on the podium on Sunday just a day after the emotional announcement that he will retire at the end of the season.
The World Cup leader was third in the men’s 15-kilometre mass start in Ruhpolding, Germany with two missed targets.
Italy’s Tommaso Giacomel had a clean shooting to claim his maiden World Cup win, while Bø’s Norwegian team-mate Sturla Holm Lægreid was second.
“It’s just insane, I’m completely out of this world. It’s been a real tough time for our team and striking back today, showing everyone what we are capable of, it’s great,” Giacomel said.
Bø shocked the biathlon world on Saturday, saying that it’s time to focus on his family and that he decided to retire before the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina d’Ampezzo.
“Originally I planned to continue another year but the Olympics crave even more from me and those around me,” he said.
“I know I could manage to win more often because I have a wonderful gift. I hardly have to train to be number one, but it is not enough to keep going for another year,” he admitted.
Öberg wins women’s mass start, leader Preuss on podium
Sweden’s Elvira Öberg claimed her second win this season with victory in the women’s 12.5km mass start.
The 2022 Olympic relay champion hit all targets and clocked the fastest time of 33:00.5 minutes.
World Cup leader Franziska Preuss was second, with one missed target, and extended her advantage at the top after the race on home German soil. Jeanne Richard of France was third.
Preuss increased her lead to 142 points ahead of France’s Lou Jeanmonnot, who was ninth in Ruhpolding.
The next stop for men and women is Italy’s Antholz-Anterselva on January 23-26.