Elvira Roars Back for Kontiolahti Mass Start Win
Sweden’s Elvira Oeberg, wearing Yellow roared back after two costly prone penalties, cleaning both standing stages, and winning the Kontiolahti Women’s 12.5 km Mass Start in 35:58.6. The Yellow Bib moved from 19th to 18th to 5th and then 2nd coming out of the last standing, securing the lead coming up the “Wall” and defending her Yellow Bib with the victory.
Elvira, “a bit nervous”
Elvira in her first day ever in Yellow admitted wearing the Bib was a bit nerve-wracking. “It is amazing. I’ve actually been a bit nervous today, racing in Yellow. It is like a dream come true, racing in Yellow. Something you have always looked up to.”
“Very good shooting in these situations”
Even after the two early penalties, Elvira remained confident of her chances for victory. “You never want to end up in that position that you have to fight for every meter, fight for every position. This time It was a pretty big leading group so it was difficult to gain many positions as well. But I know that when I am in this kind of shape, two mistakes are nothing to be all that worried about in the mass start. I just tried to keep my cool. I know that I am very good shooting in these situations shooting against other girls. I am feeling strong about that, but you still have to do it and find you focus. I am really happy I managed to do that today."
Simon, "Hope it is just the beginning"
France’s Julia Simon, also with two penalties finished second, 16.2 seconds back after 47th and 31st places previously. “I am really happy with this race; it felt very good. It was a nice fight against Elvira. I had some tough individual races but am happy to be on the podium. I hope it is just the beginning.”
Germany’s Franziska Preuss won a battle with teammates Vanessa Voigt and Julia Tannheimer, taking third, with two penalties, 19.1 seconds back.
Voigt shot clean for fourth, 19.9 seconds back. Tannheimer in fifth, claimed her second career best in two days, with one penalty, 20.1 seconds back. Italy’s Dorothea Wierer, with one penalty finished sixth, 25.3 seconds back.
Good Prone Shooting
The women closed the first BMW IBU World Cup of the season under the same dark, wintery conditions as the men. Local hero Suvi Minkkinen led after the first prone, followed by 13 more clean shooters. Karoline Offigstad Knotten cleaned the second prone with Wierer closely following.
2024/25 BMW IBU World Cup 1 Kontiolahti Women's 12.5 km Mass start
Elvira Skis to Victory
Justine Braisaz-Bouchet took the lead before the first standing but missed twice. Wierer cleaned with Preuss 8.9 seconds in arears. Preuss closed the gap before the last standing while Elvira moved to third. Wierer and Preuss both missed once. Simon cleaned 5 seconds up on also-clean Elvira.
The powerful Swede moved onto Simon’s shoulder, then buried her rival on the “Wall.” cruising to the win. Three Germans battled for the last podium spot, with Preuss prevailing over Voigt and Tannheimer.
Photos: IBU/Romans Koksarovs, Nordic Focus/Leo Authamayou
Sign up for our newsletter
Follow us on:
Sign In
FR
Search
