Hanna Oeberg Wire-to-wire in Kontiolahti Individual

Sweden’s Hanna Oeberg took the lead when she cleaned the first prone stage, going unchallenged taking a wire-to-wire win in this afternoon’s Kontiolahti women’s 15 km individual with one penalty in 42:12.7. Today’s win was her first since winning last season’s opening sprint a year and two days ago. Norway’s Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold shot clean to finish second, her best-ever finish in the 15 km individual, 33.5 seconds back. Italy’s Lisa Vittozzi, with a stunning last loop moved from eighth after the last standing stage to finish third, with one penalty, 43.7 seconds back.

“Worked every shot”

Hanna was all smiles after matching her partner Martin Ponsiluoma’s win yesterday. “I am very happy. I knew the skiing was going to be pretty okay; I felt relaxed about the skiing. My main objective today was to get all the pieces together with the skiing and shooting. I think I did a good job. I really worked with every shot. Of course, I missed one in the last standing, but I am really happy that I hit the last target; overall, very happy.”

Second Yellow for Sweden

Her win gives Sweden both Yellow Bibs going into Saturday’s sprints. “It will be really good. Last year, I did not have that experience after the first race. I am really happy about this and now I can relax and just continue working where I am...With the sprints on Saturday, it will be really cool with both of us starting in Yellow!”

Germany’s Vanessa Voigt also shot clean in fourth place, one minute back. Julia Simon of France, with one penalty finished fifth, 1:10.9 back. Olympic 15 km Individual Champion Denise Herrmann-Wick with two penalties finished sixth, 1:31.4 back.

Like the men, the women kicked off their season with the longest competition in biathlon, having similar conditions to yesterday: -3C, overcast skies which late in the competition dropped some light to heavy snow and variable winds on the shooting range. The first five women cleaned easily, setting the bar high for the rest of the field. Elvira Oeberg, wearing number 16, quickly jumped into a commanding 12-second lead with her efficient perfect prone stage. Not to be outdone by her younger sister, Hanna cleaned upping Elvira by five seconds for the lead.

BMW IBU World Cup 1 Kontiolahti Women's 15 km Individual

“Shoot well in the first prone”

The leader knew the first prone was important. “In the individual we know that good shooting is crucial to having a good result…my main focus was on the shooting range. For me it was key to shoot well in the first prone. When I had that zero, I felt confident and had the right mindset.”

In the first standing stage, Hanna continued to roll, with a clean stage, giving her a 24-second lead. Tandrevold, Herrmann-Wick and Vittozzi did the same. Simon after a clean prone stage got into the mix by going to 10-for-10, moving up to fourth position. Seemingly unstoppable, Hanna left the field far behind with a clean second prone stage that put her 57 seconds up. Tandrevold moved up from 21st to 6th after the first two stages to second when she cleaned her third successive stage with the also clean Simon up into second position, while Herrmann-Wick fell back.

Tandrevold “So nervous”

Tandrevold continued to pursue the lead by cleaning the last prone stage going to 20-for-20. Her success came after missing the Norwegian season opener and she felt the pressure with no competitions under her belt. “I was so nervous today. I did not wake up until after the first prone. It was so terrible, like why am I doing this sport again. It was a big surprise with twenty hits; not an everyday thing for me…I felt my shape was not the best today. I need to get some competitions to get in shape, so I knew I had to focus 100% on shooting. I knew I had to hit twenty… It was a good day.”

Missed Target and a Goal “for later in the season”

Hanna sealed the victory despite a single penalty, giving her a commanding lead of 1:16. Vittozzi made her podium bid with a clean stage after just single miss in the first prone stage, then closing the next fifteen targets to leave in third.

The last standing stage miss gave the Swedish star a goal. “I will save hitting twenty for later in the season.” She explained her renewed shooting success, “I started this season with new material, a new stock. After last season (when her shooting dropped to 79% from 85%) it was a good opportunity to have a new start with shooting. I have worked really well with it since May…in the last half of the training year on performance, hitting a lot of targets.”

Vittozzi “proud of myself”

The last loop was all-Hanna: she slowed a bit but was never in danger. Tandrevold had an equally good last loop but was no match for the elder Oeberg sister, Vittozzi meanwhile put on a spectacular last loop, to grab third place.

After struggling most of last season. Vittozzi admitted, “this podium is very special. It has been a long time. Now I did it and am really satisfied and proud of myself. I really believe in what I do. I was pretty calm today. I tried to do my best and did it. I took my first biathlon medal here… it is one of my favorite places; that helps give me some confidence and the power to do my best.”

Photos: IBU/Christian Manzoni, Hendrik Osula

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