Preuss Lunges to Oslo Sprint Win, Discipline Globe

The last step of this afternoon’s Oslo Holmenkollen Women’s 7.5 km Sprint was the difference in first and second place; Germany’s Franziska Preuss lunged across the finish line, grabbing a .2 second win over French rival Lou Jeanmonnot. Preuss and Jeanmonnot both shot clean and despite Jeanmonnot’s sizzling fast last loop, Preuss prevailed in 20:57.2, taking the World Cup Sprint Score title.

“Able to attack every meter”

The Yellow Bib knew the final result between her and Jeanmonnot would be very close and important in their battle for the World Cup Total Score. “I watched when she came to the finish. I heard on my last loop that it was really close. We are both doing such a great job. I think this shows how high the level is right now. For both of us to shoot clean is really something special. I felt quite good out on the track. We had good skis, so I was able to attack every meter. It was fun and I tried to enjoy this last World Cup stage of the season. I am super happy and proud. It is really a tough fight now.”

“I had some doubts about biathlon”

The Sprint Score title, her first discipline globe in 10 years added something very special to the day. “It means really a lot, especially since so much happened to me in those years. I had some doubts about biathlon and now to have this season is really nice. To win the Globe…now I feel a little bit more relieved.

Finland’s Suvi Minkkinen also shot clean for third place, 21.9 seconds back, her third podium of the season.

The next three women also had perfect shooting range days. Norway’s Ida Lien finished fourth, the second-best result of her career, 29.4 seconds back. France’s Julia Simon finished fifth, 31.9 seconds back. Switzerland’s Amy Baserga finished with the second-best career result in sixth place, 42.1 seconds back.

Preuss’ Aggressive Shooting

Conditions remained the same for the women, with lots of sunshine, soft snow, and moderate shooting range wind. Unsurprisingly, Preuss set the bar high with a perfect prone stage. Jeanmonnot responded with a careful but clean stage, 4 seconds back. Minkkinen cleaned, jumping into second until Elvira Oeberg cleaned a second faster.

Preuss was quite aggressive in standing, cleaning and extending her lead. Jeanmonnot shot a bit faster than in prone, closing to within 5 seconds. Minkkinen’s fast stage put a second in front of Jeanmonnot.

Lunge Seals Victory

The Yellow/Red Bib gave everything on the last loop, lunging at the finish. Despite Jeanmonnot closing hard, she missed the win by a hair. Minkkinen ran out of gas on the last loop, falling to third.

Photos: IBU/ Manzoni, Nordnes, Nordic Focus

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