KONTIOLAHTI, Finland (AP) — Erik Lesser of Germany won the 12.5-kilometer pursuit at the biathlon world championships on Sunday for his maiden World Cup race victory.
The 27-year-old Lesser was the only one of 60 athletes without a single error at the two prone and two standing shooting stations.
Lesser, who finished in 30 minutes, 47.9 seconds, says: “Everything went so well today, it was crazy.”
Lesser, who started fifth, came in 17 seconds ahead of silver medalist Anton Shipulin of Russia.
Shipulin passed Tarjei Boe in a long finishing duel to beat the Norwegian by 1.7 seconds. Both had one missed target.
Johannes Boe of Norway, Saturday’s sprint winner, missed eight shots and finished 31st.
