Sweden’s Sebastian Samuelsson moved into the lead after cleaning his first standing stage in this afternoon’s Oestersund Single Mixed Relay, tagging teammate Ella Halvarsson in first position which they never relinquished. Halvarsson, waving to the enthusiastic crowd brought the home team its first victory of the new season in 35:12.1. Today’s victory was the second for the Samuelsson/Halvarsson duo; they won the Kontiolahti Single Mixed Relay exactly one year ago on the opening weekend of the season.

Norway with Sturla Holm Laegreid and Maren Kirkeeide, finished second, 19.1 seconds back with six spares, two more than the winner’s four spares. France with Fabien Claude and Camile Bened took third, 37.3 seconds back after Bened outsprinted Germany’s Marlene Fichtner in the last 30 meters for the final podium spot.

Photos: IBU/Per Danielsson, Christian Manzoni, Nordic Focus