Simon Schempp missed his first podium position of the season by five tenths of a second at the World Cup in Hochfilzen. The 29-year-old finished fourth in the 12.5 km pursuit after four shooting mistakes.
The victory went to the Norwegian Johannes Thingnes Bö (3), who had already won the sprint. Bö got his 16. Individual victory ahead of the Slovenian Jakov Fak (+58.8 seconds/1). Fourcade was 1:10,0 minutes behind Bö.
“I had a great starting position after the sprint. But the first shot went all in the pants. I didn’t give up, though. The race showed what is possible in biathlon. That’s why I’m satisfied,”said Schempp.
Arnd Peiffer (Clausthal-Zellerfeld/4) and Erik Lesser (Frankenhain/6) lost all their chances in the standing attack and took positions 13 and 15. Benedikt Doll (Breitnau/4) ran from 47. on the 27th. Rank forward, Philipp Nawrath (Nesselwang/4) was 29th. Johannes Kühn (Reit im Winkl/7) had to make do with the 41st place. Rank satisfied.
The men’s relay races (11.30 a. m.) and women’s relay races (14.10 a. m.) are scheduled for Sunday (ARD and Eurosport) at the second World Cup in the Olympic winter. The next World Cup will take place from 14. till 17. December in Annecy (France).