Italy’s Lisa Vittozzi fell from contention with a first prone penalty in this afternoon’s Oslo Holmenkollen Women’s 12.5 km Mass Start, dropping to 16th, 34 seconds off the lead. She then rebounded with three clean stages. starting the last loop just behind leader Hanna Oeberg of Sweden. The Olympic Pursuit Champion powered to victory with a brilliant last loop, passing the Swede in the last uphill and sprinting to her first-ever World Cup Mass Start win in 34:58.9.

“Not sure I would start”

Vittozzi admitted she was not even sure that she would start today, let alone find enough energy to win in the last loop. “I do not know. Today I was not sure I would start because there was pain in my stomach. So, I’m glad I started today; I felt good on the last lap and I tried to give everything. I am happy that I won. It’s really nice to finish like this. I am really, really happy!”

Hanna with a single penalty in the last standing stage finished second,4.2 seconds back. The Swedish star’s second place gave her a lifetime best second in the World Cup Total Score behind winner Lou Jeanmonnot. Czechia’s Tereza Vobornikova, also with one penalty finished third, 17.2 seconds back, equalling her lifetime best that she set winning the Olympic Mass Start Bronze medal 4 weeks ago.

Hanna’s sister Elvira finished fourth, with two penalties, both in the last standing stage, 21.8 seconds back. Norway’s Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold, with two penalties equaled her season best for the second time this weekend in fifth place, 24.7 seconds back.

Simon Wins Mass Start Crystal Globe for Second Time

French Olympic 15 km Individual Champion Julia Simon finished sixth, with three penalties, 26.8 seconds. Her sixth place garnered enough points to win the World Cup Mass Start Score for the second time in her career, with 285 points to Vittozzi’s 186. Simon’s win gave France a sweep of all the women’s Crystal Globes this season;

Hanna and Simon Lead Early

Clouds, 5 degrees, and moderate shooting range winds dominated the last day of the season. Simon and Hanna shot very fast in the first prone, leading the pack out of the stadium. The two leaders repeated the same fast cadence and perfect shooting in the second prone, with Lena Haecki-Gross out third, 8 seconds back and Elvira next.

By the first standing, Elvira joined her sister and Simon. Hanna again was fast and perfect with Elvira matching in second. Simon fell from contention with two penalties as Vobornikova jumped to fourth, 11 seconds back.

Vittozzi’s Last Loop Win

Hanna missed once and Elvira twice in the final standing, but Hanna retained the lead. Vittozzi after a first prone penalty cleaned. moving into second 8 seconds back and Vobornikova trailing by another 10 seconds.

The Swede and Italian duelled until Vittozzi took the lead on the final hill. Hanna battled back but on the shooting range loop, Vittozzi was stronger, pulling away for the win.

Photos: IBU/Nordnes, Yevenko, Nordic Focus