Hanna Öberg ran away with the victory in the women’s sprint in Le Grand-Bornand.
– It feels very good. Finally a race where I can do all the parts in a good way, said Öberg to NRK.
The Swedish biathlete delivered a very good final round. At the finish line, she was 3.3 seconds ahead of home hope Lou Jeanmonnot.
Then there was silence among the French audience.
– It felt a bit like I stopped the French party. I can understand the audience, said the Swedish winner with a smile.
Ella Halvarsson came up with a proposal for how her teammate can fight back if the success is repeated later this weekend.
– Maybe she should do it here, said Halvarsson before she put her finger in front of her mouth and showed signs of hush.
Jeanmonnot retained 2nd place. Italian Dorothea Wierer took the last podium place.
All in all, there was very good shooting among the favourites. Karoline Knotten was the only Norwegian biathlete to score five hits both lying and standing. She became the best Norwegian in 8th place.
– I am satisfied that I had ten hits. I took some time when I entered the stand standing up. I was nervous before lying down too. It’s a bit scary when you stand at the start and see that there are so many people filling up, Knotten told NRK after the sprint.
Maren Hjelmeset Kirkeeide got one lap and took the place behind Knotten.
– I’m happy with the shooting, and of course it’s hard to miss the last shot again. But it felt good on the course, and I’m happy with nine hits, said Kirkeeide.
The rest of the Norwegians were a long way behind. Debutant Åsne Skrede was the third best Norwegian in 35th place after one penalty round. She was one minute and 17 seconds behind the Swedish winner.
Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold and Marthe Kråkstad Johansen shared 39th place, one minute and 27 seconds behind Öberg.