Julian Eberhard claims mass start victory in Finland

The Austrian had previously won three sprint events, but this was his first success in the mass start as he missed two targets on his way to victory in 38:04.8 minutes.

Fourcade has already clinched the overall mass start title, but he started slowly with two missed target on his first trip to the range. He was flawless from then on though and looked set for victory until Eberhard came from nowhere to reel him.

Russia’s Anton Shipulin was third, falling in a clash with Eberhard when he looked like he might take the win.

Fourcade, who missed Friday’s sprint event through illness, was not yet at 100 percent, but the podium boosted his hopes of a seventh successive overall Crystal Globe.

His big rival Johannes Thingnes Boe finished back in 19th, his worst performance of the season, and that allowed Fourcade to stretch his lead at the top of the overall standings.

With 888 points, Fourcade has a lead of 43 points over the Norwegian with five events remaining, having finished on the podium of every World Cup event this season except the sprint which he missed on Friday.

Thingnes Boe will have the chance to close the gap when the World Cup continues in Oslo next weekend.

Sportsbeat 2018