Desthieux (29), who won the last race of the previous season on the same track (mass start), started the new year on a very good note despite two shooting faults and took his 11th podium.
Revelation of last winter and runner-up to his compatriot Johannes Boe in the general classification, Laegreid (24) confirmed his status as the best shooter on the circuit by achieving a 20/20 to sign the 8th victory of his career.
World champion and holder of the small globe in the specialty, Laegreid beat his compatriot Tarjei Boe.
Johannes Boe, triple winner coming out of the big crystal globe, did not shine behind the rifle (2 errors) but managed to limit the damage (5th).
Third in the World Cup in the three previous exercises, Quentin Fillon-Maillet, very comfortable on skis but failing in shooting (3 faults), still entered the Top 10 (8th).
Emilien Jacquelin, the other strong man of the Blues, for his part cracked behind the rifle (6 errors) and finished very far (35th), while he displayed a very good physical condition by setting the best time on the track.
© 2021 AFP