Jeanmonnot Sprints to Oestersund Pursuit Win

France’s Lou Jeanmonnot held back until the last 100 meters of this afternoon’s Oestersund Women’s 10 km Pursuit, then sprinted past Germany’s Franziska Preuss to seal a sprint/pursuit double in 31:41.3. Jeanmonnot set up her last loop heroics with a slow, calculated last standing stage, completing a 20-for-20 day to leave just behind Preuss who also cleaned the last stage. After a 1.9 km tussle, the young French star put down the hammer for a .3-second victory.

“A good fight”

At one point, Jeanmonnot thought she would be happy with second place. “When my coach told me she (Preuss) was five seconds behind (ahead of) me, I thought I would fight for second place today, because it was really tough on skis for me today. The first part (of the track) is the hardest for me; the second part, I felt better. When I saw her being a bit hard on her legs, it was possible for me. Then a good fight on the finish line.”

Regarding her sprint/pursuit double, she added, “I could not believe this was possible! I am really happy about this!”

Watch Highlights Here

Preuss Retains Yellow Bib

Preuss finished second, .3 seconds back with one penalty, retaining the Yellow Bib heading to Hochfilzen with 200 points to Jeanmonnot's 197. Her teammate Vaness Voigt, also with one penalty finished third, 18.5 seconds back. Another cold -13C, lightly snowy afternoon set the stage for the for the first women’s pursuit of the season. Jeanmonnot led the field into the first prone, shot calmly and clean to stay in front. At the same time, Preuss, Tandrevold, Voigt and Arnekleiv were also perfect, following within 8 seconds with Elvira clean but 17 seconds back.

Tandrevold quickly moved to the front with Elvira coming up to 4 seconds before the second prone stage. The six women came to the range in a tight pack; five led by Preuss. Five cleaned, returning to the tracks within four seconds. Elvira fell from the group with a penalty.

Jeanmonnot’s Standing Tactics

In the first standing the group of five dwindled to three with just Voigt, Jeanmonnot and Arnekleiv cleaning; Preuss and Tandrevold went to the penalty loop. Arnekleiv and then Voigt controlled the pace into the podium-deciding last standing. Both went to the penalty loop. Jeanmonnot shot very slowly, but clean with Preuss matching, going out in a close second position. Arnekleiv left the loop in third.

Preuss quickly went in front, full gas on the last loop, with Jeanmonnot on the tails of the German’s skis. Off the last downhill, the sprint winner dug deep, sprinting down the last 100 meters for her second career victory.

BMW IBU World Cup 1 Oestersund Women's 10 Km Pursuit

Norway’s Juni Arnekleiv with a single penalty and teammate Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold with two penalties finished fourth and fifth, 24.7 and 35.9 seconds back, respectively. Sweden’s Hanna Oeberg, also with two penalties finished sixth, 1:03.2 back.

Photos: IBU/Per Danielsson, Nordic Focus

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