France’s Julia Simon rebounded from a penalty in the first standing stage, gradually moving back up in the standings to win the Gold medal this afternoon’s Milan/Cortina Women’s 15 km Individual in 41:15.6. The French star’s second stage missed shot, her only error on the range dropped her 40 second off the lead, but she cleaned the next two stages quickly, skiing away with the Olympic title.

Her teammate Lou Jeanmonnot gave France a 1-2 finish, following a similar path, falling back with two penalties, before closing her last five targets to secure the Silver medal, 53.1 seconds back. Bulgaria’s Lora Hristova shot clean, surprising with a personal best and first-ever podium for the Bronze medal, 1:04.5 back. Hristova’s previous personal best of 13th place also came in the 15 km Individual at last year’s IBU World Championships.

Germany’s Vanesa Voigt also shot clean in fourth place, 1:17.4 back. Local hero Dorothea Wierer, with two penalties finished fifth, 1:33.9 back. France’s Olympic rookie Camille Bened, with one penalty finished sixth, 1:36.7 back.

Photos: IBU/Vianney Thibaut, Ola Wizor, Nordic Focus