Johannes Thingnes Boe on course for crystal globe after sprint win in Canmore, finishing ahead of brother Tarjei

Johannes Thingnes Boe took a giant step towards the large crystal globe in the Biathlon World Cup after a crushing victory in the sprint in Canmore.

The younger Boe brother shot clear on the way to victory by one minute 2.7 seconds, and now holds a 92-point lead in the overall World Cup standings over Tarjei Boe, who finished third.

“It was one of my best sprints, probably my best race so far this year. I really enjoyed it,” Johannes Thingnes Boe said. “My skis were excellent. My shooting was also really good. From the start to the finish, I found a great pace and had energy all the way to the end.”

There was some consolation for the older Boe, who wrapped up the small crystal globe in the sprint discipline, with closest rivals Sturla Holm Laegreid and Benedikt Doll well off the pace.

Splitting the Boe brothers on the podium was Italy’s Tommaso Giacomel, the third podium of his career.

Fresh from this first sprint win of the season, Johannes Thingnes Boe will set off in Saturday’s pursuit with an advantage of more than a minute, knowing that victory in that race will clinch his fifth large globe.

That would put him one behind Ole Einar Bjoerndalen, with only Martin Fourcade clear of the duo, the Frenchman having won seven.