Norway's Johannes Thingnes Boe won the race, 12 seconds ahead of Martin Fourcade of France and 35 seconds ahead of Fak. None of the trio missed any of the ten targets.

Slovenia's top biathlete thus confirmed he was back on track after missing virtually the entire season due to ill health last year.

He clinched his first podium finish since 2015 on Sunday with the runner-up position at the 12.5-kilometre pursuit in Östersund, Sweden.