Vittozzi Repels Challengers; Doubles Up with Pursuit Win

Italy’s Lisa Vittozzi, going 19-for-20 on the range, repelled numerous challenges by French teammates Lou Jeanmonnot and Julia Simon by outshooting her rivals to win the Canmore Women’s 10 km Pursuit in 28:15.9. After the first three shooting bouts, her French rivals skied back to challenge the Italian and each time Vittozzi left the range without a missed target while her pursuers went to the penalty loop. Today’s win gave Vittozzi the first sprint/pursuit double of her career her second pursuit in of the season. Most importantly the win vaulted her into the Yellow Bib, going into tomorrow’s season-closing mass start.

“I managed the pressure in the right way”

Besides gaining the Yellow Bib, Vittozzi, elated to hear that she won the World Cup Pursuit Score crystal globe for the first time, in addition to earlier claiming the World Cup Individual Score title, “Really, I didn’t know! It’s wonderful! It is amazing, back-to-back. I do not know what to say. I tried to stay focused on my work, even if I was al little bit nervous this morning. But I managed the pressure in the right way. I am really happy.”

“Let the girls do the work”

Regarding her strategy on the tracks, “I want to start a bit not too (fast). I knew that behind me there were strong girls, so I just wanted to let the girls do the work and I stayed behind. It was a nice race.”

On regaining the Yellow Bib, she added, “It is amazing, unbelievable. I am happy!”

Jeanmonnot, with three penalties, finished second for the second consecutive competition, 12.2 seconds back. Her teammate Justine Braisaz-Bouchet used her ski speed to rebound from 19th position after the second prone, finishing third, with three penalties, 19.4 seconds back.

Photos: IBU/Christian Manzoni

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