Sweden’s Elvira Oeberg bounced back from two prone penalties, shooting clean in the standing stages and skiing away from the field in this afternoon’s BMW IBU World Championships Women’s 12.5 km Mass Start taking her first-ever major title in 40:32.3. After the second prone stage, Elvira was 12th, 30 seconds back after the penalties, but skied to back into contention before cleaning the standing stages for the Gold medal.

“I fought for this for so long”

Elvira’s medal followed her Bronze Relay medal yesterday and Pursuit Silver last Sunday; today surprising herself with Gold. “I do not understand how I managed this today. I had a good feeling in the beginning of the race, but on the third lap it was like I hit the wall. Then, I thought, ‘I just need to survive this race.’ Then the feeling on the standing was so good and I just hit them and nobody else did. I was really scared on that final loop that I would hit the wall really and not be able to finish first. I am so happy. I fought for this for so long. To do it today nis very emotional.”

“We are in this together”

That emotion spilled over when she tearfully spoke about waiting at the finish for her older sister Hanna in 30th place. “It is so special. We are really in this together. We are in it in the highs and lows. To be able to share it with her makes it even more special.”

“Take every opportunity”

France’s IBU WCH rookie Oceane Michelon with three penalties, won her first-ever, taking Silver, 9.4 seconds back. Michelon’s first-ever podium and medal left her filled, “with a lot of emotions; very happy about this race. It’s my first-ever podium…I am very happy about it; just amazing…I knew today would be a hard race; snow conditions were every hard. I was really tired, so I just said, ‘be calm; take every opportunity you have.”

Norway’s Maren Kirkeeide, also in her first IBU WCH matched her French rival on the range and likewise won her first-ever individual medal, claiming Bronze, 16.5 seconds back.

Michelon’s teammate Jeanne Richard, with three penalties finished fourth, 23.1 seconds back. Bulgaria’s Milena Todorova, with two penalties finished fifth, 24.3 seconds back. France’s Lou Jeanmonnot, with four penalties, finished sixth, 34.1 seconds back.

The final women’s competition was another sunny, warm, light wind afternoon. Lena Haecki-Gross, Franziska Preuss and Richard cleaned the first prone quickly for the top spots.

Preuss cleaned the second prone, 10 seconds up on Haecki-Gross and Richard. Before the first standing, the Swiss/French duo were up with Preuss. Elvira followed in a chase group.

Gold in Last Standing

Preuss cleaned first standing going back into the lead; Elvira and Jeanmonnot matched, second and third. The last standing penalty decided Gold; Elvira shot clean sealing the win. Kirkeeide and Michelon matched, in second and third, with Michelon pulling away for the Silver medal over Kirkeeide.

Photos: IBU/Vianney Thibaut, Nordic Focus