Tommaso Giacomel from Italy secured victory in the Ruhpolding mass start on January 19, 2025, finishing ahead of Sturla Holm Laegreid, while Johannes Thingnes Bö took third despite recording the fastest running time. The German team faced challenges, with Justus Strelow being the top performer in seventh place. Bö, who announced his retirement at season’s end, experienced shooting errors that hindered his chances for a 17th World Cup win, marking a significant moment in biathlon history.
Giacomel Claims Victory in Ruhpolding Mass Start
On January 19, 2025, Tommaso Giacomel from Italy thwarted a potential fairy tale for Johannes Thingnes Bö in Ruhpolding. Giacomel surged ahead in the final shooting round to clinch victory in the mass start event, while Bö had to settle for third place behind his teammate Sturla Holm Laegreid.
Challenges for the German Ski Hunters
The German athletes appeared competitive during the early stages of the race; however, their performance faltered during the standing shooting phase. Justus Strelow emerged as the top DSV competitor, finishing in seventh place with one shooting error.
All eyes were on Johannes Thingnes Bö, whose unexpected retirement announcement at the end of the season sent shockwaves through the biathlon community. Bö, known for his determination, showcased his skills during the mass start, emphasizing that he would give his all until the final race.
Despite finishing third, Bö demonstrated exceptional speed, achieving the fastest running time in the event. Unfortunately, two shooting errors proved costly, preventing him from claiming his 17th World Cup victory in the mass start.
Bö’s Retirement Decision
During the Christmas break, Bö made the decision to retire following the season, revealing that he had been contemplating the timing of his announcement. “I didn’t want to waste any more energy thinking about it, so I informed everyone yesterday,” Bö shared. “To achieve 100 percent, you need a lot of energy both physically and mentally. A lot of pressure has been lifted off my shoulders,” he explained.
The competition kicked off at the Chiemgau Arena, where 19,200 fans gathered to witness the thrilling event. Bö led the pack into the first shooting round, but faced a setback with a penalty lap due to one shooting error. In contrast, Justus Strelow started strong, hitting all his targets and leaving the shooting range first.
The shooting conditions improved significantly for the athletes during the second round, with Strelow and his teammate Johannes Kühn also completing the round without mistakes. Bö managed to regain his position in the race with flawless shooting, but a subsequent error during the final round cost him dearly.
As the race progressed, Giacomel maintained his flawless shooting and crossed the finish line 9.3 seconds ahead of Laegreid, while Bö finished in third place, 23.3 seconds behind the winner. Strelow managed to maintain his strong performance, securing a commendable seventh place despite the challenges faced by his teammates throughout the race.
Danilo Riethmüller struggled significantly, falling behind early due to shooting errors and finishing in 28th place after multiple penalty laps. As the biathlon world reflects on Bö’s illustrious career, his retirement marks the end of an era for the sport.