Öberg went out 13 seconds behind Germany’s Denise Herrmann-Wick in the sprint lap but was unable to threaten for silver and focused on securing bronze. It was Sweden’s eighth medal in this record World Cup.
– It’s a fantastic day, we are the only team that won a medal on both the men’s and women’s side, says national team coach Johannes Lukas.
Italy took a thunderous gold salvaged by Lisa Vittozzi, took the fourth medal, as decided on her final flawless shooting. Italy already had two bronze medals from international championships so they broke new ground.
Linn Persson’s super series gave an early lead
Linn Persson opened with two misses in the first prone shooting and finished 13th – 15.6 seconds behind leading Finland. In the track on her way to the second shoot, she whizzed past the entire field and lined up to shoot first of all. She burned off a flawless run of 17.1 seconds and went out with a six-second lead.
The field was compressed and Persson sent out Anna Magnusson in the lead on the second stage with the Czech Republic, Norway and Italy just behind.
– It is probably one of the best series I have ever shot. It wasn’t so much aiming but more point and shoot, says Persson about his super series.
On the standing shooting on the second stretch, it missed cleanly. Anna Magnusson incurred two penalty rounds, which is very unusual for her, and lost her grip. She went out 1.05.0 behind Italy in fourth.
Magnusson: “The tremors came in the legs”
– It didn’t feel so bad, but then came the shaking in the legs and it’s boring as hell, says Anna Magnusson.
Elvira Öberg had to go out as fourth, 54 seconds behind Italy. It was eleven seconds until Germany and the bronze. Despite difficulties on the fence, three barriers in total, she was able to replace older sister Hanna Öberg in third. Italy, where young Hannah Auchentaller went sensationally well, and Germany were 38 and 33 seconds ahead. The Czech Republic and France followed close behind.
– The last kilometer was pure will, damn what I had to struggle with and it’s far from top form. In the end, the first medal came for me and that means so much, says a relieved Elvira Öberg, who has been ill.
