France’s Julia Simon rebounded from a penalty in the first standing stage, gradually moving back up in the standings to win the Gold medal this afternoon’s Milan/Cortina Women’s 15 km Individual in 41:15.6. The French star’s second stage missed shot, her only error on the range dropped her 40 second off the lead, but she cleaned the next two stages quickly, skiing away with the Olympic title.

Her teammate Lou Jeanmonnot gave France a 1-2 finish, following a similar path, falling back with two penalties, before closing her last five targets to secure the Silver medal, 53.1 seconds back.

Bulgaria’s Lora Hristova shot clean, surprising with a personal best and first-ever podium for the Bronze medal, 1:04.5 back. Hristova’s previous personal best of 13th place also came in the 15 km Individual at last year’s IBU World Championships.

“I know I am capable of shooting clear”

The 22-year-old, just a year removed from competing in the IBU Youth/Junior World Championships tried to stay calm throughout her perfect day. “Definitely I am very happy about that (shooting clean). I tried not to think about the result. I tried to focus on my shooting and ski technique. I managed to make the best I can do…I am very proud of myself, because I know I am capable of shooting clear and capable of skiing better than the last races. I think I am in my best shape for these Olympics.”

“Don’t think about anything else”

As for her thoughts as the last shot fell, “The first thing I thought is, ‘now forget about the shooting, focus on the skiing on the last loop and don’t think about anything else!’ ”

Germany’s Vanesa Voigt also shot clean in fourth place, 1:17.4 back. Local hero Dorothea Wierer, with two penalties finished fifth, 1:33.9 back. France’s Olympic rookie Camille Bened, with one penalty finished sixth, 1:36.7 back.

French Team and Preuss

Conditions for the women resembled that of the men yesterday: cloudy, hard tracks, light winds and the Südtirol Arena filled to capacity. It looked like a battle between the French team and Franziska Preuss, with Hristova keeping them on their toes. Jeanmonnot, Simon and Preuss all cleaned the first prone within 7 seconds of each other, with Hristova 25 seconds back.

Preuss and Bened cleaned the first standing easily while Simon and Jeanmonnot both missed shots, dropping 36 and 40 seconds back. The Bulgarian cleaned her second stage, moving to fifth.

The top two did the same in the second prone stage, staying atop the leaderboard. Simon started her comeback with a fast loop and five perfect shots, 9 seconds back. Jeanmonnot fell 1:16 back with a second penalty.

Simon and Jeanmonnot, 1-2 Finish

The last standing stage was all Simon as she blew away her five targets, taking a 52-second lead over Hristova who was also perfect. Jeanmonnot gaining time on the tracks shot clean with a sense of urgency, moving to just 8 seconds behind Hristova. Preuss imploded with two penalties, dropping from the top six.

Simon continued charging to the finish and the Gold medal. Jeanmonnot skied faster than Hristova, moving in to the Silver medal spot, giving France a 1-2 finish.

Photos: IBU/Vianney Thibaut, Ola Wizor, Nordic Focus