Johannes Dale-Skjevdal of Norway won gold in the 15-kilometer biathlon mass start with a flawless 20/20 shooting performance, securing Norway's record-breaking 17th gold medal at the Winter Olympics.
Johannes Dale-Skjevdal of Norway made history by winning gold in the 15-kilometer mass start biathlon race, hitting all 20 targets flawlessly – a first for him in his Olympic debut. This victory also marked Norway's 17th gold medal at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, setting a new record for the most gold medals won by a nation at a single Winter Games. Dale-Skjevdal completed the challenging course with newly packed snow and gusty winds in 39 minutes, 17.1 seconds. His teammate, Sturla Holm Laegreid, secured the silver medal, missing only one target and finishing 10.5 seconds behind, adding his fifth medal to his Olympic tally. Quentin Fillon Maillet of France, despite missing four targets, showcased strong skiing to overtake Germany's Philipp Horn for the bronze, earning his ninth Olympic medal. Horn, who missed only one target on his final bout, expressed deep disappointment with his fourth-place finish. American biathlon hopeful Campbell Wright struggled significantly on the shooting range, missing seven targets and finishing in last place. Italy's Tommaso Giacomel, initially leading after perfect prone shooting, had to withdraw from the race due to a sudden side pain. The women's 12.5-kilometer mass start is scheduled for the following day.
