Italy’s Lisa Vittozzi patiently skied with France’s Julia Simon through the prone stages of this afternoon’s Otepää Women’s 10 km Pursuit, following her rival into the first standing. Vittozzi’s cleaned as Simon went to the penalty loop, with the Italian skiing away to a 33:33.7 victory. The Olympic Pursuit Gold medalist’s win was her third of the season, all in pursuit competitions.

“Waited a bit more”

Vittozzi, like Sturla Holm Laegreid earlier did not shoot too fast but waited at times in the windy conditions. “It was very hard today. I tried my best, waited a little bit more and fought for every target. For sure it was hard, but I am happy that two mistakes for today was enough.”

“The track fits me”

She thinks the Otepää layout suits her and looks forward to the 20227 IBU WCH. “It was really nice with a lot of people here today. I really like this place. The track fits me and my skiing. I hope for winter conditions next year. I think it will be a nice World Championships.”

Finland’s Suvi Minkkinen, with one penalty, wearing the Red Bib retained her lead in the Pursuit Score with her second place,26.2 seconds back. Minkkinen outsprinted France’s Yellow Bib-wearing Lou Jeanmonnot by .7 seconds, in a last-minute dash to the finish, leaving the French star in third. Jeanmonnot with one penalty extended her lead in the Total Score to 201 points over the Finn.

France’s Justin Braisaz-Bouchet, with three penalties finished fourth, 52.7 seconds back with her teammate Oceane Michelon, also with three miscues, fifth, 1:03.2 back. Sweden’s Linn Gestblom, with two penalties finished in a season-best sixth place, 1:04.5 back.

Vittozzi and Simon in Prone Stages

The women faced the same heavy shooting range winds and slow tracks on a warm day that the men had earlier. Simon and Vittozzi led the field into the first prone, both picked up a penalty but remained 1-2. Jeanmonnot shot very cautiously in the strong wind, cleaning, 12 seconds back with Michelon perfect 23 seconds back and Elvira Oeberg a step behind. The leading duo went shot-for-shot in the second prone with no mistakes, solidifying their positions. Jeanmonnot faster, cleaning her second stage, 25 seconds back; Michelon and Elvira both missed once, in fourth and fifth.

Minkkinen Wins Last Lap Duel

Simon put a gap on Vittozzi before the first standing stage but missed two shots, opening the door for the Italian who responded with a clean stage, taking a 38-second lead. From that point, she was unchallenged. Jeanmonnot remained perfect on the day, moving within 9 seconds of Simon. Vittozzi missed a shot in her last standing stage but that was enough to secure the win as Simon missed three times. Jeanmonnot cleaned, moving to second with Minkkinen, trailing the Yellow Bib by four seconds. Minkkinen and Jeanmonnot dueled over the last loop, with Minkkinen getting the final edge over the hard-charging Yellow Bib in the last 50 meters.

Photos: IBU/Dmytro Yevenko, Nordic Focus