In a challenging World Cup biathlon event held in Kontiolahti, Finland, Tero Seppälä faced difficulties during the latter stages of the 15-kilometer mass start race. Despite being in a strong position for most of the competition, Seppälä faltered at the shooting range, missing shots at both the second last and final shooting stations. This led to a significant time loss as he had to complete penalty laps, ultimately finishing in 12th place and trailing the winner, Norway's Sturla Holm Lægreid, by over a minute.

The race was tightly contested, especially in its concluding phases. The final shooting round proved crucial, where France's Éric Perrot missed a shot, allowing Lægreid, who shot cleanly throughout the race, to gain a decisive lead and secure victory. Perrot finished in second place, while another Norwegian, Vetle Sjåstad Christiansen, took third. Remarkably, five Norwegian athletes made it to the top ten, showcasing their dominance in the sport.

Post-race, Seppälä reflected on his performance, noting the intense pace of the skiing sections. He admitted that while he managed to cope with the first two climbs, the third proved too much for him, revealing a need for further training to strengthen his endurance for future competitions. Teammate Tuomas Harjula finished in 21st place, further emphasizing the competitive nature of this World Cup event.