Elvira Oeberg Captures Ruhpolding Women’s Mass Start

Sweden’s Elvira Oeberg came to the last standing stage alongside Italy’s Dorothea Wierer and France’s Lou Jeanmonnot, cleaning while her rivals went to the penalty loop, and sealing victory in the Ruhpolding Women’s 12.5 km Mass Start in33:00.5. Elvira’s 20-for-20 shooting and typical track prowess keyed her second mass start win of the current season.

Elvira’s plan, “went perfectly”

Oeberg’s was more than pleased with the win. I could not have done anything more perfect today. We had once again amazing skis and of course, this was the third day of racing this week, so you are a bit tired. But I followed my plan from start to finish and today it went perfectly.”

“Only one thing on my mind”

The winner was totally focused in the crucial last standing stage. “I was like, ‘you are going to do this 20-out-of-20 today.’ I missed one in the pursuit in Oberhof, so today I was going to clean. I was a little bit tired so I really wanted to shoot full so I could enjoy the final lap! There was only one thing in my mind: clean shooting.”

Yellow Bib Franziska Preuss of Germany battled back in the last loop, sprinting to a one-penalty second place, 25 seconds back.

“It was good enough”

France’s Jeanne Richard shot clean, finishing in a career-best and first-ever individual World Cup podium third place, 25.4 seconds back. As for the deciding last loop, “It was very hard because both are good finishers (Preuss and Wierer). I am not a very good finisher, but today I did my best. It was good enough.”

Italy’s Dorothea Wierer, with one penalty finished in a season-best fourth place27.9 seconds back. Finland’s Suvi Minkkinen, with one penalty finished fifth, 32.7 seconds back. Elvira’s sister Hanna, with three penalties finished sixth, 34.7 seconds back.

Elvira Leads Early

The women closed the week in Ruhpolding, with perfect conditions and the again almost invisible wind emphasizing the shooting perfection that gave Elvira the win. Preuss was slow to the first prone shot, but then cleaned quickly but Hanna got away in the top spot with her sister third. In the second prone, the Yellow Bib went to the penalty loop while Elvira cleaned for the lead. Wierer matched, leaving on the Swede’s shoulder and Jeanmonnot, a few seconds back.

Header icon2024/25 BMW IBU World Cup 5 Ruhpolding women's 12.5 km Mass Start

Last Standing Drama

Wierer cleaned the first standing easily with Jeanmonnot and Elvira doing the same, all leaving the range within 3 seconds. The trio battled into the last standing setting the stage for a dramatic last five shots. Elvira cleaned for big lead when Wierer picked up a penalty and Jeanmonnot two. Richard cleaned, leaving with Wierer, 17 seconds back. Preuss cleaned, battling back in the last loop from fourth and going into second as Wierer and Richard fighting for the last podium spot.

Elvira came to the finish unchallenged with Preuss outsprinting Richard for second and Wierer fourth.

Photos: IBU/Svoboda, Nordic Focus

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