Biathlon: Ponsiluoma wins pursuit gold; Jacquelin dedicates bronze to Marco Pantani

ANTERSELVA (BZ) — Martin Ponsiluoma of Sweden captured the Olympic gold in the men's 12.5 km pursuit at Milano Cortina 2026, finishing in 31:11.9 with one shooting error. Norway's Sturla Holm Lægreid took silver and France's Émilien Jacquelin completed the podium in third, 29.7 seconds behind.

Jacquelin, who wore an earring in tribute to his idol Marco Pantani and even pointed to his ear and bandana after crossing the line, dedicated his bronze to the late cyclist. “I grew up admiring him,” Jacquelin said, explaining that he raced in Italy the way Pantani raced on a bike — always attacking. The Frenchman lost the chance for gold after two misses at the last range while he had been well in front.

Italy's Tommaso Giacomel started 1'43" back after placing 22nd in the sprint but produced a solid comeback, shooting clean in the last two ranges to finish ninth (+1:15.2). Giacomel judged it his best four-range race in a while, though he said he still leaves something on prone shooting. Lukas Hofer was the top Italian, finishing 13th; Nicola Romanin slipped from 16th to 28th after a late miss.

The pursuit format used sprint finish gaps to set start times; athletes skied four shooting bouts (two prone, two standing), and each miss required a 150 m penalty loop (about 20–25 seconds). With the programme moving into the second week, relays and the mass start are next on the schedule.