France’s Lou Jeanmonnot, after a penalty in the first prone stage, rebounded, closing the next 15 targets and skiing to a 31:14.9 win in this afternoon’s Oberhof Women’s 10 km Pursuit. Seventh starter Jeanmonnot, with just that single penalty claimed her second pursuit win and second victory of the of the season, taking over the lead in the World Cup Pursuit Score.

“I wanted to show my best”

Jeanmonnot after very disappointing 14th, 18th and 35th places last month in her home Annecy LeGrand Bornand World Cup was determined to bounce back this month. “Today was very relieving, because Le Grand Bornand was not too good for me, and I wanted to show my best in the new year, and I achieved it. It is a cool thing!”

“Focused on doing a good shoot”

In the crucial last standing stage, the winner was completely focused on the targets. “I just focused on doing a good shoot, keeping tight pressure on my rifle because there a bit of wind. I also focused on physical feelings and not worry about what could happen.”

Norway’s Maren Kirkeeide, with two penalties matched her career best in second place, the same spot as in Thursday’s sprint, 18.1 seconds back. Sweden’s Elvira Oeberg with the fastest track time by over a minute jumped from 2+ minutes back at the start to third place, with a single penalty, 26.2 seconds back.

Jeanmonnot’s teammates Oceane Michelon and Jeanne Richard. Both with two penalties finished fourth and sixth, 28.9 and 33.7 seconds back, respectively. Germany’s Seline Grotian with two penalties finished fifth, edging Richard in a photo-finish. The women were quite relieved to see light wind, partly cloudy skies, and firmer tracks today after their rainy sprint on Thursday.

Photos: IBU/Vianney Thibaut, Nordic Focus