Norway’s Maren Kirkeeide survived a final desperation sprint to the finish by French teammates Lou Jeanmonnot and Justine Braisaz-Bouchet to capture the Annecy Le Grand Bornand Women’s 12.5 km Mass Start in 32:53.2, edging the French duo by .3 and .8 seconds. Kirkeeide, with one penalty on the day, jumped into the lead with a kilometer to go, catching her rivals off guard. The French teammates closed the gap, pushing hard into the final 100 meters, but the 22-year-old Norwegian held of their charge for her first-ever World Cup victory and third podium of the new season.

Jeanmonnot and Braisaz-Bouchet each had a penalty in second and third places. Camille Bened, who led out of the last standing stage shot clean in fourth, 5.7 seconds back. Switzerland’s Amy Baserga equaled her season best in fifth place, with a single penalty, 15.5 seconds back. Last season’s World Cup Total Score titlist Franziska Preuss of Germany finished in a season-best sixth place, also with one penalty, 18 seconds back.

Photos: IBU/Mobuchon, Yevenko, Manzoni, Nordic Focus