Johannes Kühn gave the German biathlete their first victory of the Olympic winter as a complete surprise.
The 30-year-old confirmed his excellent early form in the Hochfilzen sprint over 10 km and celebrated his first World Cup victory after a furious final lap.
With the best running time and one penalty loop, Kühn prevailed in 26: 05.0 minutes ahead of the Swedish sprint world champion Martin Ponsiluoma (1 penalty loop / + 14.3 seconds) and the Belarusian Anton Smolski (0 / + 20.5).
"Of course," said Kühn during the race on ARD, he accepted the congratulations.
“I don't know whether it was outstanding.
But I was happy with the shooting and the run was good too, ”he said modestly.
The retired Arnd Peiffer had the last World Cup victory of the German biathletes in December 2020, also in Hochfilzen in the mass start.
This means that Kühn has a pleasant lead in the pursuit on Saturday (12.15 p.m. / ARD and Eurosport).
Veteran Benedikt Doll saved himself into the hunt race in 60th place after four penalties (+1: 55.1 minutes).
Philipp Nawrath (2 / + 39.8) convinced with eighth place and the sixth fastest time.
Kühn had recently solved the Olympic standard of the German Ski Association (DSV) in 12th (sprint) and 14th (pursuit) in Östersund.
At the first World Cup weekend, Kühn was still missing because he was still in the second-rate IBU Cup.
So far, a second place in Pokljuka singles in the 2018/19 season was the only podium in Kühn's career.