Braisaz-Bouchet Sprints to Soldier Hollow Win

France’s Justine Braisaz-Bouchet, despite a prone penalty, skied impeccably once again pulling away on the tracks to win the Soldier Hollow Women’s 7.5 km Sprint in 20:42.7. Braisaz-Bouchet led the field into the prone stage, but missed a shot, dropping 17 seconds off the lead. She closed the gap to 7 seconds by standing, cleaned in five fast shots with the wind blowing hard, taking the lead. She powered through the last loop, pulling away from her rivals for her third sprint win and seventh overall victory of the season.

“It was Hell”

The winner admitted today’s late season win “meant a lot. I am satisfied of course. It was like hell out there today, truly; spring snow, high altitude. All the strong girls are here in the top seven or eight. It was wonderful to get that victory. The snow suited the ones in front so we are really happy; sharing the podium with Lou is also great.”

Expounding on the tough conditions (altitude), “It was like hell! It was tough for every girl and the men when we watched the relay. I was prepared to fight.”

Yellow/Red Bib Ingrid landmark Tandrevold of Norway shot clean in second place, 13.4 seconds back. Braisaz-Bouchet’s teammate Lou Jeanmonnot also shot clean in third place, 19.2 seconds back.

The next three finishers shot clean with Italy’s Lisa Vittozzi in fourth, 29.1 seconds back. Tandrevold’s teammate Karoline Offigstad Knotten finished fifth, 48.2 seconds back. Austria’s Anna Gandler finished in a career-best sixth place, 1:02 back. The 23-year-old improved on her previous best 7th place in the IBU WCH Mass Start last month.

Photos: IBU/Christian Manzoni

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