Tandrevold Anchors Norway to Relay Win

Norway’s Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold came back from a 23.4 second deficit using two spare rounds in the last standing stage, sealing a 1:18:48.3 victory this afternoon in the Oestersund Women’s 4 X 6 km relay. The Norwegian, after solid legs by teammates Marthe Krakstad Johansen, Juni Arnekleiv and Karoline Offigstad Knotten won a battle of nerves in that last stage with her shooting while rival Hanna Oeberg missed four consecutive shots, ending with a penalty and eventual second place finish.

Nervous “one-to-one battle”

Tandrevold, the senior member on the Norwegian women’s squad admitted the last standing stage was tough. “I was a bit nervous. I think it was the first time in the last leg with a really one-to-one battle in the last standing. I saw in my side view that Hanna was missing and I tried to focus back on myself, but it was difficult. I think we both felt the pressure, but I was so inspired by the other girls today. Our team is just…I do not know what to say. Now it can only go one way and that is down!”

Sweden in second place, 41.6 seconds back matched Norway’s nine spare rounds but had a penalty. Germany in third place, 47.9 seconds back shot extremely well with three spares in the often blustery conditions.

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Light snow fell throughout the competition with eighteen teams starting the season’s first women’s relay. France’s Lou Jeanmonnot grabbed the first leg lead, tagging second leg Chloe Chevalier just a second ahead of Czechia and Norway.

All of second-leg leaders struggled in prone, using spares. Arnekleiv took control of the competition with a fast five-shot standing stage, putting Norway on top. Linn Persson’s clean stage brought Sweden into contention, within 11 seconds of the lead.

Elvira Takes Control

Arnekleiv skied a fast last loop, giving Knotten a 37-second advantage over Marketa Davidova, Elvira Oeberg and Vanessa Voigt. The chasers closed the gap by the prone stage; Knotten used two spares with Elvira and Voight cleaning, moving to 21 seconds back. Elvira shot slowly, calmly and clean in standing, taking the lead while Knotten struggled with spares, leaving 18 seconds back.

Tandrevold Outshoots Hanna for the Win

Elvira skied a fast loop, tagging her sister with a 23.4-second lead over Tandrevold. The Swede used a spare in prone while Tandrevold cleaned, dropping the gap to 10 seconds. The duo lined up together in standing; Hanna cracked missing four shots and going for a penalty loop. Tandrevold’s two spares gave her the lead 35 seconds ahead Hanna and Franziska Preuss, setting the podium.

BMW IBU World Cup 1 Oestersund Women's Relay

Switzerland, with ten spares finished fourth, 2:19.9 back. France after leading early in the competition finished fifth, 2:23.4 back with a penalty and then spares. Czechia finished sixth, 2:47.9 back with three penalties and thirteen spares.

Photos: IBU/ Nordic Focus, Per Danielsson

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