Fourcade clinches second win as IBU World Cup in Östersund ends

Martin Fourcade triumphed for the second successive day in Östersund ©Getty Images

France’s Martin Fourcade cruised to victory in the men’s 12.5 kilometres pursuit to win his second gold of the International Biathlon Union (IBU) World Cup season as competition drew to a close in Östersund, Sweden.

Last year’s World Cup winner had won the 10km sprint event yesterday and, despite picking up three penalties, he never looked likely to lose his lead, having begun the event with a 52 second advantage over his closest rival Arnd Peiffer of Germany.

The Frenchman began quickly as he looked to build an unassailable lead over Peiffer and Norway’s Ole Einar Bjørndalen, but a missed shot in the first prone stage cancelled out his early gains.

Fourcade was, however, able to shoot clean in the second stage to increase his buffer to over one minute, meaning two further penalties had no effect as he crossed the line 35.10 seconds clear of Peiffer, to win in 31min 22.40sec.

"It was not easy, it was a competition against me,” Fourcade said.

“I am happy that I have done this before and have that experience, because it is not easy to do this.

“I felt good on ski and shooting range; it was small mistakes when I missed those shots, after the first prone, I was confident."

Bjørndalen was the only one of yesterday’s podium finishers to fail to obtain another medal, as the Norwegian’s five penalties saw him drop to 11th place with France’s Quentin Fillon Maillet claiming bronze in his absence by finishing in 32:17.60.

Kaisa Mäkäräinen earned her first World Cup victory of the season ©Getty Images

Meanwhile, in the women’s 10km pursuit event, Finland’s Kaisa Mäkäräinen was able to claw back the race leaders to earn her first win of the season in an exciting finish.

Mäkäräinen had started the event 52 seconds behind the Czech Republic's Gabriela Soukalova, yesterday’s 7.5km sprint winner, however she mounted a challenge for the victory despite accruing two penalties, by steadily progressing through the field.

The Finn took the lead inside the final two kilometres of the race but was forced to hold off the fast-finishing Dorothea Wierer, gold medallist in the 15km event, to secure the win in a time of 30:45.10.

Her Italian rival finished just 1.90 seconds further back to win silver, while Germany’s Franziska Hildebrand completed the top three by crossing the line in 30:48.40.

The next World Cup is set to begin on Friday (December 11) in Hochfilzen, Austria.