France’s Julia Simon missed a shot in the first prone stage of this afternoon’s Kontiolahti Women’s 12.5 km Mass Start, but cleaned the next three stages, securing the victory in 34:40. Simon out-duelled Sweden’s Elvira Oeberg in the standing stages, shooting clean and fast while her Swedish rival missed a shot in each, eventually finishing second. Today’s victory was Simon’s second consecutive World Cup Mass Start win, after taking the Nove Mesto title just before the Milano Cortina OWG.

“My coach…gave me a motivation speech…it worked”

Olympic 15 km Individual Gold medallist Simon who also won two additional Gold medals plus Mass Start Silver admitted she needed some help to get ready for this competition. “Honestly, before the race, no confidence at all! I felt like it was very difficult in my head to focus myself. After the Olympics, I felt really tired. Today, I asked my coach to come and talk, to try to give me a motivation speech and it worked. I felt really confident after the prone because I just wanted to enjoy and have fun. I am really happy with this race. It was a difficult morning, and I am really happy to manage it.”

“Lot of confidence for next races”

With this victory, Simon is in the driver’s seat in the Mass Start Score, 200 points to Lou Jeanmonnot’s 155 with just the Oslo final remaining. “It was difficult to come back after the Olympics, because I had a really good time at home. I need to refocus on myself. I think this small globe will help me to stay focused. The race today gave me a lot of confidence for the next races.”

Elvira, after leading by a wide margin through the prone stages finished second, with two penalties, 5.6 seconds back. Her teammate Anna Magnusson, with one penalty finished third, 8.9 seconds back, avenging her fourth in the Milano Cortina Mass Start two weeks ago.

Germany’s Marlene Fichtner, with one penalty finished fourth, 14.9 seconds back, upping her personal best from her fifth place in Thursday’s 15 km Individual. Czechia’s Tereza Vobornikova, with two penalties, finished fifth, 15.2 seconds back, while Simon’s teammate Oceane Michelon with three penalties finished sixth, 15.8 seconds back.

Elvira Leads Through Prone

The women had a sunny, clear afternoon. Elvira shot very quickly and clean in the first prone, taking an 11-second lead. Simon was in a large group 18 seconds back. A dozen seconds up, Elvira cleaned the second prone, as Simon cleaned, moving to second.

Leaderboard Upended, Simon Wins

The first standing upended the leaderboard: Elvira missed her third shot and Simon cleaned, seizing a 10.9-second lead. Magnusson cleaned after an earlier prone penalty, jumping to third.

By the last standing stage, Simon and Elvira were side-by-side. Simon cleaned quickly; Elvira again went to the penalty loop, coming off just behind Fichtner and Magnusson. The French star cruised to an undisputed victory; Elvira moved to second followed by Magnusson.

Photos: IBU/Christian Manzoni, Nordic Focus