Johannes Thingnes Bö faced tough competition at the mass start event in Annecy on December 22, 2024, where Tarjei Bö claimed victory. Danilo Riethmüller impressed with a second-place finish, showcasing resilience after a challenging sprint. Despite adverse weather and early setbacks, Riethmüller maintained his position, while Bö and other Norwegians dominated. Nawrath and Kühn also performed well for Germany, finishing seventh and eighth, respectively, as the women’s race saw a double victory for Germany.
Even the legendary Johannes Thingnes Bö faced challenges against him: Danilo Riethmüller secured an impressive second place on Sunday, December 22, 2024, showcasing a remarkable performance in the mass start event held in Annecy. Tarjei Bö clinched the victory.
Riethmüller was the standout contender leading up to the race. Despite a setback in the sprint, the 25-year-old displayed resilience, advancing from 29th to 7th place in the pursuit, setting the stage for an outstanding mass start. Philipp Horn, who previously achieved fourth and eighth positions in the earlier races at Annecy, also entered with strong confidence.
Riethmüller Faces Early Challenge
The weather conditions in Annecy posed a significant challenge for the competitors. Rain and soft snow created tough circumstances for both the technicians and the athletes. A surge in pace from Campbell Wright forced the competitors to exert themselves right from the outset, with Johannes Thingnes Bö leading for much of the race.
In a surprising twist, Justus Strelow took the lead with an exceptional performance, closely followed by Sturla Holm Laegreid and Bö as they entered the second lap in a commanding position. Meanwhile, Philipp Nawrath (7th), Riethmüller (11th), and Johannes Kühn (14th) managed to maintain their positions, although Horn struggled with his shooting.
Norwegian Dominance Takes Center Stage
Bö intensified the pace, stretching the field significantly. Only his fellow Norwegians Vebjoern Soerum, Laegreid, and Tarjei Bö managed to keep up, while the German trio fell behind by ten seconds. The competition had to rely on potential mistakes from these elite competitors at the shooting range, but only Johannes Thingnes Bö faltered, leaving one target unhit.
Strelow, Nawrath, and Kühn formed a solid chasing pack as Riethmüller faced setbacks due to a shooting error. Horn’s race ended prematurely after he incurred three mistakes during his second shooting, placing him at the back of the field.
Tarjei Bö’s Unyielding Performance
By the time they reached the third shooting, five Norwegians were in contention, including Bö, who had recovered despite earlier errors. The strength of the Norwegian team was evident as they continued to assert their dominance, though not all raced together. Only Tarjei Bö remained flawless, taking a commanding lead with a 17-second advantage over Soerum and 20.5 seconds over Laegreid. Riethmüller seized the opportunity, moving into fourth place, trailing by 31.7 seconds.
Tarjei Bö appeared poised for his first win of the season, as his compatriots were unable to close the gap significantly. Riethmüller held his ground in fifth place, even as Johannes Thingnes Bö sped past him, but the German athlete demonstrated exceptional form compared to his competitors. Kühn and Nawrath entered the final shooting in ninth and tenth positions, respectively.
Riethmüller Holds Off the Competition
In a dramatic turn, Tarjei Bö missed his final shot, and other Norwegians also made mistakes, but the standings remained unchanged at the top. Behind them, Riethmüller showcased his talent, heading onto the course error-free with only an eleven-second gap to Bö. Laegreid followed closely, while Johannes Thingnes Bö trailed Riethmüller by eleven seconds, creating an intense finish.
Although Riethmüller couldn’t close the gap to the leader, he managed to maintain a significant portion of his lead. With two kilometers remaining, he still had a seven-second advantage, which reduced to six seconds before the final stretch. Ultimately, Riethmüller successfully fended off Bö’s challenge, celebrated his first career podium, and crossed the finish line in an incredible second place, just four seconds behind the winner.
‘I truly had to hold my breath, fearing they would catch up until I reached the final climb,’ remarked Riethmüller in a post-race interview. ‘I stayed focused and executed my plan flawlessly. It was an amazing experience.’
Strong Showings from Nawrath and Kühn
Riethmüller’s success was not the only highlight for the German team. Nawrath finished in seventh place with just one shooting error, finishing 36.3 seconds behind Bö, while Kühn celebrated an impressive eighth place (+36.9 seconds) thanks to four perfect shooting rounds.
Strelow struggled with three shooting errors in the standing position, ultimately finishing in 24th place (+2:22.6 minutes), while Horn ended in 26th place (+2:41.7 minutes).
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