Sweden’s Elvira Oeberg came to the last standing stage alongside Italy’s Dorothea Wierer and France’s Lou Jeanmonnot, cleaning while her rivals went to the penalty loop, and sealing victory in the Ruhpolding Women’s 12.5 km Mass Start in33:00.5. Elvira’s 20-for-20 shooting and typical track prowess keyed her second mass start win of the current season.

Elvira’s plan, “went perfectly”

Oeberg’s was more than pleased with the win. I could not have done anything more perfect today. We had once again amazing skis and of course, this was the third day of racing this week, so you are a bit tired. But I followed my plan from start to finish and today it went perfectly.”

“Only one thing on my mind”

The winner was totally focused in the crucial last standing stage. “I was like, ‘you are going to do this 20-out-of-20 today.’ I missed one in the pursuit in Oberhof, so today I was going to clean. I was a little bit tired so I really wanted to shoot full so I could enjoy the final lap! There was only one thing in my mind: clean shooting.”

Yellow Bib Franziska Preuss of Germany battled back in the last loop, sprinting to a one-penalty second place, 25 seconds back. France’s Jeanne Richard shot clean finishing in a career-best and first-ever World Cup podium third place, 25.4 seconds back.

Italy’s Dorothea Wierer, with one penalty finished in a season-best fourth place27.9 seconds back. Finland’s Suvi Minkkinen, with one penalty finished fifth, 32.7 seconds back. Elvira’s sister Hanna, with three penalties finished sixth, 34.7 seconds back. The women closed the week in Ruhpolding, with perfect conditions and the again almost invisible wind emphasizing the need for shooting perfection that gave Elvira the win.

Photos: IBU/Svoboda, Nordic Focus