Elvira Oeberg took the lead for the first time in this evening’s Kontiolahti Women’s 4 X 6 km Relay when France’s Julia Simon picked up a last standing stage penalty, but still leaving on Elvira’s shoulder. The duo battled side-by-side until Simon pulled up, stopping momentarily on “the Wall,” ceding the victory to Elvira and Sweden in 1:17:09. In what looked like another French win for much of the competition, Elvira, her sister Hanna, Sara Andersson and Anna Magnusson had a single penalty and six spares, surprising favored France with a penalty and nine spares.

Team Victory

Later, Hanna called the win “a team victory, not only the four of us who raced but the waxers and coaches, but also the other girls and Linn Gestblom (Persson, who is sitting out the season after shoulder surgery). She is a really big part of this team; we hope and cheer for her to come back stronger.”

France, even with Simon’s last loop struggles, finished second, 29 seconds back. Norway with a penalty and eight spares finished third, 36.2 seconds back. Italy, Austria and Poland rounded out the top six. The Italians used three spares to Austria’s seven and Poland’s penalty plus eight.

France Starts on Top

Nineteen teams started the women’s relay, led by Norway, Sweden and France all shooting clean in the first prone stage. Lou Jeanmonnot did the same in standing, getting away 10 seconds before Magnusson and Juni Arnekleiv who used a spare round.

Second leg Justine Braisaz-Bouchet struggled on the range in both prone and standing, but rebounded with a fast last loop, tagging Sophie Chauveau a half-second ahead of Czechia.

Chauveau easily cleaned prone, going 37 seconds up on the field. Hanna matched and cleaned standing, moving into second after tagging seventh, as her French rival used a spare.

Simon Controls, Crumbles in Pain

Anchor leg Simon left the final exchange 28 seconds ahead of Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold with Elvira another four seconds back. Simon’s fast prone shooting added 5 seconds to her lead over Tandrevold with Elvira. The leader’s relentless pace brought her to the last standing, where she ended up with a penalty, leaving on Elvira’s shoulder.

The two battled much of the last loop, until suddenly midway up “the Wall,” the 2022 World Cup Total Score winner crumbled, stopping in pain before continuing, ceding the victory to Sweden.

Photos: IBU/Romans Koksarovs, Nordic Focus/Leo Authamayou