Jakov Fak Makes History! Men’s 15 km Short Individual Pokljuka
Wow! Jakov Fak is about to claim his first victory since March 2015 after a flawless performance at home in @biatlonpokljuka 🤯
— International Biathlon Union (@biathlonworld) March 13, 2025
Watch it all unfold on https://t.co/p8ATzITmbR and https://t.co/8WieDPZaQf 💥 pic.twitter.com/u8xMbQEzjo
Table of Contents
Introduction – Jakov Fak
Jakov Fak of Slovenia fired off a stunning set of six targets hit fully through each round in the Pokljuka Men’s 15 km Short Individual, to take home the victory with a time of 40:52.6 on the Slovenian home-snow surface. His perfect shooting and strong finish produced his first win since 2015, and at home, his first in over a decade.
Perfect Performance in Difficult Conditions
Fak’s victory made him the second-oldest winner of any World Cup event ever, behind only biathlon legend Ole Einar Bjorndalen. Looking back on his performance, Fak called it “a perfect race in not so perfect conditions.” The rain and adverse conditions had not dampened his spirits, and he expressed thanks to the organizers and pride in his accomplishment.
A Family Victory for Jakov Fak
For Fak, one of the most special moments with his victory was in front of his three daughters, all under the age of nine. They often ask, “Daddy, are you going to win the race?” He’s certainly always sought to do his best, and he’s had few victories in the past few years. This victory, though, was one he could share with them — proudly.
Laegreid Secures Individual Score Title and Yellow Bib
Sturla Holm Laegreid of Norway took second, 34.1 seconds behind Fak, clinching the small Crystal Globe for the World Cup Individual Score. His vigorous showing also returned him to the Yellow Bib with 1006 points, ahead of Johannes Thingnes Boe, who placed 10th. Laegreid said he had been mainly concentrating on finishing ahead of Boe, adding: “The battle with Johannes will last ’til the last race.”
Other Notable Performances
Martin Ponsiluoma of Sweden grabbed his season-best finish of third, 44.3 seconds behind Fak despite two penalties. Italy’s Tommaso Giacomel was fourth, 51.2 seconds behind. Norway’s Johannes Dale Skjevdal was the season’s best in fifth place, while France’s Quentin Fillon Maillet crossed on sixth. Heavy rain created slow, deep track conditions for the competition, which challenged every athlete.
Summary
With perfect shooting and some tenacious skiing, Jakov Fak finally found his way back to victory in Pokljuka — and the win was made even more special, as his daughters watched from the stands. And Sturla Holm Laegreid, in second place, won the Individual Score title — and the Yellow Bib — setting up a fierce fight with Johannes Thingnes Boe for the overall World Cup lead. The dramatic weather made for the third night of endurance and precision in this race.