From the moment Sweden’s Ella Halvarsson left the first prone stage leading this afternoon’s Hochfilzen Women’s 4 X 6 km Relay, there was little doubt that Sweden would prevail as their lead grew steadily until anchor Hanna Oeberg crossed the finish line with an unchallenged 1:06:52.4 victory. Halvarsson, Hanna, Anna Magnusson, and Elvira Oeberg used just seven spare rounds to dominate the second Women’s Relay of the season after finishing fourth in the season opener at home in Oestersund.

Norway finished second, with nine spare rounds, 40.3 seconds back. Germany finished third, 51.3 seconds back, with eight spares. Finland, with nine spares moved from seventh at the last exchange moved to fouth with a strong anchor leg by Suvi Minkkinen, 1:01.8 back. Slovakia, with eight spares finished fifth, 1:18.4 back with France following in sixth, 1:31.7 back with a penalty and 10 spares.

Photos: IBU/Walter, Nordic Focus