Strømsheim gets first career win in Norwegian biathlon 1-5 triumph

Endre Strømsheim claimed his first biathlon World Cup victory on Saturday when he led a Norwegian 1-5 finish in a pursuit race.

On the women's side, Julia Simon ended the winning run of French team-mate Justine Braisaz-Bouchet.

Strømsheim could afford two missed targets in the final shooting in Oberhof as he won the 12.5-kilometres event 17.8 seconds ahead of Sturla Holm Lægreid.

Superstar Johannes Thingnes Bø had the chance to win another race, but three penalty laps from the last shooting for a race total of four were too much.

Bø had to settle for fifth, behind Johannes Dale-Skjevdal in third and his brother Tarjei Bø in fourth.

"It was awesome," Strømsheim said. "I was so psyched on the last loop; it was a pure joy. I've been working for this for so many years, and now that I finally made it, it's like I'm really grateful. There are so few of us who get to win."

Friday's sprint winner Benedikt Doll of Germany was out of contention after missing three targets in the first shooting and eventually placed 12th.

Braisaz-Bouchet seemed on course to a fifth straight victory until the final shooting where her two missed targets for a race total of three proved costly.

Simon had a second penalty lap at this stage but could afford it as she beat Braisaz-Bouchet by 18.9 seconds for her first season victory and ninth overall. Norway's Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold completed the podium in third.

The Oberhof week is wrapped up with relay races on Sunday.