March 16, 2014  (Kontiolahti, Finland) – Despite windy conditions Canada’s Nathan Smith backed up his career-best 8th in yesterday’s sprint with a solid 10th place finish and five penalties in the men’s 12.5km World Cup pursuit in Kontiolahti, Finland on Sunday.

Nathan Smith (CAN) © Nordic Focus

Norway’s Johannes Thingnes Boe won the men’s pursuit also suffering five penalties – despite four missed targets on the final standing session – with a time of 33:37.1 completing a hat-trick of victories in Kontiolahti at round 8 of the World Cup.

Smith was in second after the cleaning in the first prone session but fell back as he missed two shots in the next session. “It was an interesting race and quite windy overall. Sometimes really gusty, and other times, it calmed down. Shooting was definitely the key to success today,” said Smith. “I started with a perfect, fast prone which bumped me into second position. It took me a little by surprise that everyone was still laying down when I jumped off the mat.”

Final podium (l-r) Fourcade 2nd, Boe 1st, Ferry 3rd © Nordic Focus

World Cup leader Martin Fourcade (FRA) was second at 16.3s behind with three penalties while Sweden’s Bjoern Ferry snagged the bronze at 20.4 back also with three penalties.

Johannes Thingnes Boe (NOR) © Nordic Focus

Lowell Bailey, who started in third today following his career-first podium yesterday in the sprint, was the top US finisher in 14th at 45.4s behind Boe with five penalties. Teammate Tim Burke finished 17th 56.9 with four penalties while Canadian Brendan Green was 20th at 1:03.5 with with three penalties.

In 34th was American Leif Nordgren with four penalties and Canada’s Scott Gow dropped one spot from Saturday’s sprint to 43rd with six penalties at 3:28.6 behind.

Full results here.