Great Britain's Lee Jackson admitted the going was tough after taking part in a race that edged his hero Ole Einar Bjoerndalen closer to history.
Bjorndalen, who recently celebrated his 40th birthday, moved level with fellow Norwegian Bjoern Daehlie on 12 Olympic medals with his gold in the biathlon 10km sprint in Sochi.
He now has 12 career medals at the Games and needs just one more to secure his status as the most decorated Winter Olympian of all time.
Jackson finished 67th in the race in a time of 27.08.8 minutes, more than two and a half minutes behind the winner.
He missed just one target on the standing shooting range and the top 60 finish he needed to secure a place in Monday's 12.5km pursuit.
And the 33-year old admitted it was tough going, while the late start - the race being held under lights at 6.30pm local time - didn't help his nerves.
"The hills are so steep, I have done some hard sessions on the course in the week leading up to the race but racing on it is something different," he said.
"It is so fatiguing, there is no recovery, it is tough and I have got double to do in the individual, which will be fun.
"It is hard not racing until 6.30pm because you have got all day waiting and anticipating.
"It's difficult trying to stay relaxed but not too relaxed, so it doesn’t take you too long to get ready for the event.
"But it is also trying not to conserve energy and waste energy being nervous."
© Sportsbeat 2014