The IBU decided not to wait for the third event of the World Cup to introduce mass start into the competition program, and decided to introduce it from the first event.
But specifically for these two mass starts (men's and women's) there will be separate selection rules. Not 25+5, as usual.
The best 15 from the results of the previous season (overall standings) + the best 15 from the results of the sprint and individual qualify for the mass start. Moreover, the order of the starting numbers is formed based on the results of this event, and then those who couldn't show anything in the two races in Kontiolahti, but were in the top 15 in the 23/24 season, get to the mass start.
So, at the moment, Dale, Ponsilouma, Strelow and Kuehn, who didn't earn points in the individual, are selected for the mass start.
