Jacquelin Wins First Sprint of His Career– Heikkinen Scores First World Cup Points

French Emilien Jacquelin took Men's Sprint victory with a 18,9 second difference to Sweden's Sebastian Samuelsson.

Samuelsson missed one shot.

German Philipp Nawrath took third place with clean shooting.

Jacquelin, who is a member of the strong French team, took his career first Sprint victory. 

- I just had one Sprint podium in Kontiolahti before. I just wanted to make the best race I can with my capacities. I am really happy to have made it all at once, on the skis and shooting range. It is good to be able to win directly at the start of the season, pondered Jacquelin.

Huge relief for Invenius, Heikkinen rejoices his first points 

Three Finns scored World Cup points. Otto Invenius placed 32nd, Jaakko Ranta 38th, and Arttu Heikkinen scored his career first Cup points placing 39th. 

Ranta got through the race without missing a shot, Invenius and Heikkinen both got one penalty.

Invenius described his race as ”a huge relief”.

– I was lucky to get a good race. Even skiing was better already. I started pretty hard and tried to take even my own guesswork out of it during the first lap. Somehow, I was strong enough to finish, said Invenius and was grateful for home crowd’s help in the last hills.

Young Heikkinen has little experience in World Cup, and his first World Cup points are a significant waypoint. 

– I managed to clean in the prone, skiing was good, and I only missed one in standing. Then there was the hard fight for some points during the last lap. I am satisfied with today, smiled Heikkinen.

The other Finns included Tero Seppala, 65th, and Jonni Mukkala, 104th.

Seppala’s race went well until he got four penalties in standing.

– The start was good, but the dreams got knocked down. Chin up and I will do next week what I could not do now, Seppala aimed ahead ambitiously.

Original text in Finnish: Heidi Lehikoinen
Translation into English: Hanna Sairanen