Against winner Johannes Thingnes Bö, he had no chance, despite the Norwegian booming a shot and Ponsiluoma shooting full. At the finish, there was a 24-second gap between them and down to third-place Benedikt Doll, Ponsiluoma had a five-second margin.
"I'm really happy to shoot zero boom today. I felt really sleepy and really off throughout the race really. The first lap didn't feel good at all but then it got better and better with each lap. Nice to be able to do a good race even though it feels a little worse, says Ponsiluoma who believes in an even better effort in Saturday's chase start.
"I'm doing a perfectly okay race it was probably good to get this drive-through, with it in my body I'll probably be able to do even better in the pursuit," he says.
Second place was his sixth podium finish in the World Cup this season.
"It's a really good season. I'm really happy, I have to say. There have been a lot of good races, it's been a super season for me," Ponsiluoma said.