The Finnish duo of Tero Seppala and Suvi Minkkinen made history this afternoon, winning the Oberhof Single Mixed Relay in 39:17.1 for Finland’s first-ever World Cup Relay victory. The team’s five-spare round shooting plus Minkkinen’s 10-for-10 in the anchor leg keyed the victory, after leaving the last exchange 12.9 seconds out of the lead.

Seppala, “200 races…first time on podium”

Both Minkkinen and Seppala were overjoyed with their historic accomplishment, which was also Finland’s World Cup victory since Kaisa Makarainen won the Oberhof Mass Start exactly 5 years ago today. Seppala, joyfully admitted, “I am so happy, like no words. I have more than 200 IBU races and now is the first time to climb the podium…A medal is very nice, but victory is the best deal…We did such good work. I am so proud of her…Thanks, Suvi!”

Anchor leg Minkkinen added, “It is really amazing to cross the finish line first. It is a really amazing feeling. We have been teammates for a very long time. It is really nice to share this victory with him.”

“In the mood Jeanmonnot”

Regarding her spectacular last shooting where she channeled the Pursuit winner Lou Jeanmonnot, “I was thinking Lou Jeanmonnot when I came to the last shooting because I watched the race yesterday and she was so calm in shooting. I was just like in the mood Jeanmonnot. It was really cool to be able to do that!”

France with Quentin Fillon Maillet and Paula Botet used eight spares, in second place, 5.8 seconds back. The home team Germany with Justus Strelow and Selina Grotian need eleven spares, taking Germany’s first podium of the week, in third, 24.9 seconds back.

Switzerland, with a penalty and eight spares finished fourth, 46.4 seconds back. Austria, with eight spares finished fifth, 52.1 seconds back while Slovenia was sixth, with nine spares, 55.3 seconds back.

Germany, France, and Finland battle

A perfect biathlon day in Oberhof with sunshine, passionate fans, -4C, and of course, some shooting range wind. Strelow, Simon Eder, and Jakov Fak cleaned the first prone, going out together. Fak and Strelow matched in standing, tagging 1-2 at the first exchange.

Botet and Hauser were perfect in their first prone, leaving together, with Lena Repinc and Minkkinen 6 seconds back. Botet’s two spares in standing, allowed Finland to tag first.

Minkkinen’s Anchor Leg Seals Win

Fillon Maillet, Strelow, Seppala, Fak and Eder used spares in prone, leaving within 6 seconds. Strelow cleaned standing in five shots, giving Grotian a 3-second lead, with Finland trailing by a dozen seconds at the final exchange. Minkkinen cleaned prone in five shots, did the same in standing for a small lead over Botet and Grotian in third position. Minkkinen never let up on the last loop, easily claiming victory and becoming a part of history.

Photos: IBU/Vianney Thibaut, Nordic Focus