Norway’s Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold cleaned prone and did the same in standing for the first time this season and skied away from the field for a resounding 19:13.5 victory in this evening’s Nove Mesto na Morave Women’s 7.5 km Sprint. The Norwegian’s first win and podium of the season marked a huge comeback after heart issues in December and a disappointing 2025 IBU World Championships with a high mark of 18th in the Pursuit.

“I owed them a good race”

In a voice filled with emotion and cracking at times, Tandrevold explained the importance of the victory, not just to her, but those who have supported her. “It feels incredible. It feels like it’s my first win really. It’s been really tough this year and I did not know if I could compete in this level; the more races I did, the more I started to doubt myself. Today, I felt I did not race only for me. I had so much help in these three months from like my heart doctor to my coaches to my waxers and the people back home. I really felt I almost owed them a good race because they have used so much time to help me. I really wanted to give something back.”

“Sharing this victory is really emotional”

Regarding winning, she added, “I told myself if I ever win again, I will not be relieved, only thankful…My heart doctor told me time and time again, you can go, ski as fast as you can… believe in yourself…My coaches have given me the chance to prove myself…I am on the best team in the world and have the best teammates; everyone is so happy for me…Sharing this victory is really emotional.”

IBU Sprint World Champion Justine Braisaz-Bouchet of France finished second with one penalty, 15.1 seconds back. Clean-shooting teammate Julia Simon finished third, 20.9 seconds back.

France’s Lou Jeanmonnot finished fourth, with one penalty, 27.1 seconds back. Austria’s Lisa Theresa Hauser shot clean for a season-best fifth place, 37 seconds back. Norway’s Karoline Offigstad Knotten shot clean in sixth place, 37.3 seconds back.

Start Group adjustment like Thursday

The first women’s competition of the third trimester used the same adjusted start group setup due as the men on Thursday after another warm 15C afternoon. Using new 2024/25 IBU Rules, the top 15 athletes in the World Cup Total Score started alternately with 1,3,5 and so on.

Yellow Bib Franziska Preuss cleaned prone but faded to 15th at the finish. After Jeanmonnot cleaned prone for the lead, 2025 World Champion Braisaz-Bouchet matched, moving ahead. Tandrevold then upended the French star, leaving a second faster.

Simon went to 10-for-10 after a quick standing stage, until Braisaz-Bouchet despite a penalty retook the lead. Tandrevold followed with a perfect stage, putting a 19-second gap on her rivals.

The last loop was all Tandrevold as she skied to her fifth career win like Emilien Jacquelin yesterday.

Photos: IBU/ Igor Stancik, Nordic Focus