Braisaz-Bouchet’s Perfect Standing Stage Seals Oslo Mass Start Win

France’s Justine Braisaz-Bouchet came out of the pack, cleaning the last standing stage in this afternoon’s Oslo Holmenkollen women’s 12.5 km mass start, skiing to victory in 35:20.8. The Olympic Mass Start Gold medalist, with two penalties on the day ends the season winning two of the last three mass starts, this one giving her the World Cup Mass Start Crystal Globe. Germany’s Franziska Preuss, finished second, 7.8 seconds back. Norway’s Marte Olsbu Roeiseland, finished third, 8.6 seconds back. Preuss and Olsbu Roeiseland both had two penalties.

2022 BMW IBU World Cup Oslo Holmenkollen Women's Mass Start

Sweden’s Linn Persson, who led early outsprinted teammate Elvira Oeberg for fourth place, finishing 13.6 second back to Oeberg’s fifth place 13.7 seconds back. Norway’s Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold finished sixth, 14.1 seconds back. All three women had two penalties on the day.

Olsbu Roeiseland’s Big Globe

Marte Olsbu Roeiseland culminated her season with the third place finish but also finally was able to hold the prize she worked for all season long: the Big Crystal Globe for the World Cup Total Score. “I do not know what to say. I think the overall is the biggest prize you can get in biathlon. To be one of the athletes who has one is crazy. I have worked for it for such a long time. I really tried last year. I had no idea it would be my turn this year. The Olympics were my big goal; I did not race the World Cup in Antholz and it was enough after all. I am just so happy.”

Under 25 Title to Elvira Oeberg

Elvira, second to Braisaz in the World Cup Mass Start Score by two points came up with also ended the season with an award. She took the under 25 Blue Bib title while also finishing second in the World Cup total Score behind Olsbu Roeiseland.

World Cup Mass Start Score Decision Day

The last day of the season was just as bright and beautiful as the previous two were with sunshine, +8C, the usual wind on the range and tribunes packed with fans waiting to see the top 30 women duke it out one more time. The big prize today was the World Cup Mass Start Score Crystal Globe that would likely go to whomever crossed the finish line in first place. Elvira led the pack into the first prone, but Julia Simon cleaned the fastest getting away in front of 12 other women who also shot clean. Olsbu Roeiseland, Hauser, Dorothea Wierer and Preuss followed the French leader out of the stadium.

Trio Out Front

The Yellow Bib led the pack into the second prone but ended up with a penalty while Elvira shooting in lane two cleaned along with Lisa Theresa Hauser and Persson; the Austrian led the trio from the stadium, with Wierer also perfect another four seconds back. Eight women remained penalty-free.

Hauser cleans first standing, takes charge

By the 5.9 km split, Persson was setting the pace for the leading trio, with Wierer slipping a bit farther back, skiing solo in fourth position. By the range, Elvira was on lane one but missed one shot. Hauser cleaned as Persson also went to the loop. Wierer rapid-fired her five targets to jump into second. Olsbu Roeiseland recovered with five centered shots to leave four seconds behind the Italian who was 16 seconds behind Hauser.

Braisaz-Bouchet out of the pack into first

The Yellow Bib skied with abandon on the lap into the deciding last standing stage, passing Wierer, attempting to close the gap to Hauser. She was not alone; four other women were within 20 seconds of the leader coming into the range for the final time this season. Hauser shot fast, missing her last shot as did the Norwegian and the other contenders. Coming out range unscathed was Braisaz-Bouchet in the lead. Hauser after a quick loop was just 5.6 seconds back, with clean-shooting Hettich in third.

A Win for the Olympic Champion

With 1600 meters to go the Olympic Mass Start Gold medalist had a dozen seconds on her pursuers. Preuss pulled a few seconds away from Hauser who was now within the sights of Elvira and Olsbu Roeiseland waiting to pounce for the last podium spots. The French star easily held the lead to win the season’s final competition, smiling and waving to the crowd in the last 150 meters. Preuss held on for second with Olsbu Roeiseland crossing in third place.

Preuss, “To finish second means a lot”

Preuss, closed the book on an injury and Covid-filled season with a strong second place. “I am really satisfied with my race today…It was a hard fight and a hard challenge to be cool. The sprint here was a disaster and then the pressure fell away. I just wanted to make biathlon and just have fun. To finish second means a lot to me.”

Photos: IBU/Christian Manzoni