Italy’s Lisa Vittozzi patiently skied with France’s Julia Simon through the prone stages of this afternoon’s Otepää Women’s 10 km Pursuit, following her rival into the first standing. Vittozzi’s cleaned as Simon went to the penalty loop, with the Italian skiing away to a 33:33.7 victory. The Olympic Pursuit Gold medalist’s win was her third of the season, all in pursuit competitions.

“Waited a bit more”

Vittozzi, like Sturla Holm Laegreid earlier did not shoot too fast but waited at times in the windy conditions. “It was very hard today. I tried my best, waited a little bit more and fought for every target. For sure it was hard, but I am happy that two mistakes for today was enough.”

“The track fits me”

She thinks the Otepää layout suits her and looks forward to the 20227 IBU WCH. “It was really nice with a lot of people here today. I really like this place. The track fits me and my skiing. I hope for winter conditions next year. I think it will be a nice World Championships.”

Finland’s Suvi Minkkinen, with one penalty, wearing the Red Bib retained her lead in the Pursuit Score with her second place,26.2 seconds back. Minkkinen outsprinted France’s Yellow Bib-wearing Lou Jeanmonnot by .7 seconds, in a last-minute dash to the finish, leaving the French star in third. Jeanmonnot with one penalty extended her lead in the Total Score to 201 points over the Finn.

France’s Justin Braisaz-Bouchet, with three penalties finished fourth, 52.7 seconds back with her teammate Oceane Michelon, also with three miscues, fifth, 1:03.3 back. Sweden’s Linn Gestblom, with two penalties finished in a season-best sixth place, 1:04.5 back.

Photos: IBU/Dmytro Yevenko, Nordic Focus