After three competitions in the WC, Julia Simon has the same number of golds. Today she won the chase start with a clear margin ahead of Lisa Vittozzi. Suvi Minkkinen was the best Finn in 29th place.
After the success in the sprint on Friday, there were good conditions for another great day for the French ladies in Nove Mesto. The dominance at the start of the pursuit was not as great, but a French skater took care of the noblest medal.
And it was Julia Simon who became world champion. She thus followed up the gold in the mixed relay and the pursuit start by also winning the sprint. Simon also defended his title from last year.
– It feels like I’m dreaming now. I felt stressed before the race because it was the first time that I started first in the pursuit start, says Simon in his victory interview.
Simon missed just one shot in the competition and decided the gold fight on the third shot. She eventually won by 46 seconds ahead of Lisa Vittozzi.
– I only focused on myself during the entire race. This was one of my best races in my career, says Simon.
Vittozzi climbed from seventh at the start to the silver position, but she was slightly pushed by Justine Braisaz-Bouchet at the end. Vittozzi had 20 seconds to spare on the Frenchwoman after the last shot, but she came up short at the end.
Vittozzi still managed to hold off and sprint runner-up Braisaz-Bouchet had to settle for the bronze medal today.
The mink is satisfied with the effort
Suvi Minkkinen was today’s big Finnish name. She picked 18 places in the wet chase start. Minkkinen missed a shot and finished as 29th lady.
– This was the best hunting start of the season. I haven’t picked so many places in previous competitions, she tells Yle after the race.
The mink shot the fastest of all at the start of the hunt.
– There were opportunities to shoot fully but it didn’t work. I am still very satisfied with the effort, says Minkkinen.
Venla Lehtonen climbed twelve places with his 40th place. Daria Virolainen in turn lost places when she finished in 47th place. Noora Kaisa Keränen made a slightly better effort than last Friday and finished in 50th place.
– Everyone shot very well and quickly lying down. I want to see that every time. In standing, there are things to work on, but I am satisfied with the overall result, says national team coach Erik Kulstad.
Result, start of hunt:
1. Julia Simon FROM 29.54.8 (1)
2. Lisa Vittozzi ITA +46.3 (1)
3. Justine Braisaz-Bouchet FRA +49.3 (4)
4. Sophie Chauveau FRA +57.6 (3)
5. Hanna Öberg SWE +1.16,6 (2)
6. Franziska Preuss GER +1.24.7 (1)
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29. Suvi Minkkinen FIN +4.05,2 (1)
40. Venla Lehtonen FIN +5.19,4 (2)
37. Daria Virolainen FIN +5.38,1 (4)
50. Noora Kaisa Keränen FIN +6.22,2 (3)
