It is not uncommon for Norwegian skiers to take the podium at World Cup competitions, but the one who takes home the premiere in the Finnish Kontiolahti was hitherto unknown in the major competition contexts.
It was 23-year-old Sturla Holm Lägreid who finished 19.6 seconds for the more tipped compatriot Johannes Thingnes Bö.
Both, with the fine shooting: 0-0-0-0.
For the Swedish part, there were five guys out on the track: Jesper Nelin, Sebastian Samuelsson, Martin Ponsilouma, Peppe Femling and vc debutant Malte Stefanson.
Norwegian debutant takes home the victory
Both Samuelsson and Ponsilouma showed good riding and were fast at the start.
But the premiere nerves would show up in the initial shooting for both Samuelsson and Nelin who blocked one shot each and Ponsilouma who started with two booms.
- I'm very pleased.
A little premiere nerves in the first shooters, but I have not ridden this well for a very long time, if ever, says Sebastian Samuelsson to SVT.
And the initial pace held for Samuelsson who after another boom in the first standing then followed up with two important zeros.
Samuelsson finished in a sixth place 1:32 behind Laegreid.
CLIP: Sebastian Samuelsson sixth in the premiere
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Sebastian Samuelsson sixth in the World Cup premiere Photo: Bildbyrån