France’s Justine Braisaz-Bouchet, fell 34 seconds behind the lead after a prone penalty, but rebounded with a clean standing stage and blazing ski speed in the last loop to win the IBU World Championships Women’s 7.5 km Sprint Gold medal in 22:08.7. Under very snowy, windy conditions, the French star picked up the second individual IBU World Championships Gold medal of her career rafter winning the Mass Start title last year.

“Filled with emotions”

Braisaz-Bouchet who struggled up to this point in the season with a single podium, a win in the Annecy Le Grand Bornand Sprint admitted this, “is really amazing. I am filled with emotions because my husband and daughter are here. I heard their cries during the race.”

As for her fast last loop, “I tried to hold my strength until then. It was really tough but really special on the shooting range, I am really happy about this (win).”

Germany’s Franziska Preuss, also with one penalty won the Silver medal, 9.8 seconds back, her second individual IBU WCH medal after winning Mass Start Silver 10 years ago in Kontiolahti. Finland’s Suvi Minkkinen shot clean for the Bronze medal, 11.4 seconds back, her first-ever Championship medal and Finland’s first medal since Kaisa Mäkäräinen’s 2017 Mass Start Bronze.

Switzerland’s Lena Haecki-Gross also shot clean in fourth place, 11.4 seconds back. Italy’s Michela Carrara finished in a career best fifth place, 24.4 seconds back with one penalty. France’s Lou Jeanmonnot finished sixth, with two penalties, 30.9 seconds back.

The women faced a cold -3C day with strong gusty winds on the shooting range, with heavy blowing snow falling throughout the competition.

Photos: IBU/Vianney Thibaut, Nordic Focus