It was the biathlon premise that more or less had to shoot fully to win on the German course.

And in the main ranks, it was also gold position for world cup leader Martin Fourcade to advance. The Frenchman's main competitor, the Norwegian duo Johannes Thingnes Bö, did not get started when he just became a father.

It also turned out to be too good a situation for the French not to take it.

Double French at the top

After two full shooters, Fourcade was at the top all the way and also held off for his compatriot Quentin Fillon Maillet who, somewhat surprisingly, took second place.

Three for the day became German home runner Benedikt Doll.

The biggest Swedish jumpers in advance were Sebastian Samuelsson and Jesper Nelin.

Nelin had a heavy day and bombed one in each shooting.

- I am a little disappointed that I was the first to fall asleep, I should hit that quite easily. I wasn't really ready to shoot that shot I think.

"Really war in the landscape"

For Sebastian Samuelsson's part, there was also no top position as he also barred one in the first. However, the Swede kept it together well during the remainder of the race and shot fully while having a good ride.

- That's the best thing he's done so far. That's a case ahead, SVT's expert Björn Ferry sums up after Samuelsson's race.

An analysis that Samuelsson agrees with.

- Now maybe I can relax a little and try to just make a good run in the future. There was a good race in the baton in Oberhof and a new good race today. So the form is on the rise, sums up the 22-year-old and then comments on his miss.

- I have really fought in the landscape and it has not felt superb. I have really tried to improve it and have been in the shooting hall on Monday among other things. Now I spend a lot of time lying there lying down and it feels very good but unfortunately a shot slips out.

"Remember a certain Olympic race"

The 22-year-old ended up in 14th place overall and thus has a good position ahead of the hunting start on Sunday.

- Great fun to get a hunting start with such a good starting position. I remember a certain Olympics race when I had a roughly similar starting position so we will see on Sunday.

For the Swedes, as mentioned, there was a boom in the shooting range, but it is still a step forward, says Samuelsson.