Johannes Thingnes Boe completes collection as Simon comes from tenth to win world gold

Norway’s Johannes Thingnes Boe shot clean in Oberhof to complete his World Championship collection.

The 29-year-old finished the 12.5km course in 33:34.5, over a minute ahead of compatriot Sturla Holm Laegreid who also shot clean, while Sweden’s Sebastian Samuelsson took bronze after starting in 11th position.

And for Boe, who holds the yellow bib in the Biathlon World Cup this season, it was the culmination of years of hard work.

He said: “I have been thinking about that for many nights. Now I have all seven of them. That is quite an achievement.

“Today the flag was going straight down; there were no wind issues, no fog. I could go out in the lead and felt really good on the skis.

“The best day so far in the Championships. It looks like the shape is coming and shooting clean as well which is not too often. I am very proud of the race today.”

Simon fights through from 10th to win

Earlier in the women’s pursuit, Julia Simon of France came back from tenth to take her first ever individual World Championship gold with one penalty.

In the final landing stage, German biathlete Denise Herrmann-Wick, who took the sprint title the day before, missed two shots to take her total to four and finished 27 seconds behind the Frenchwoman.

Norway’s Marte Olsbu Roeiseland came home in third, 37.7 seconds after Simon who was overwhelmed with emotion post-race.

Simon said: “Oh my God, it is real! It was crazy, unbelievable, incredible. I was very, very focused.

“Just before the last shooting, the coach on the uphill told me I was with Denise and third place was far behind.

“In my head, I said, ‘It does not matter. I just want to win, so need to stay with Denise and watch the wind.’

“It was totally crazy on the last lap. My legs were shaking. ‘Oh, my God it is real. I need to go to the finish line.’ A lot of emotion in my head; it is unbelievable.”

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