The women's individual start race, like yesterday's training session, took place under spring-like conditions. Because it was expected that the conditions are faster at the end, the favorites from the red group chose the highest possible starting bibs - as Therese Johaug for the number 60. But it didn't work out - so some of the favorites had to fight with the soft conditions. On the last lap the lead of Therese Johaug melted down to four seconds. But on the last three kilometers, she gave everything again and was twelve seconds ahead of the only 19 year old Swede at the finish.
After the first of two laps it was clear that Ingvild Flugstad Østberg would be able to fight for bronze. In the end it was even close to win the bronze medal for the Norwegian, because there were only 1.4 seconds left ahead of Krista Pärmäkoski (FIN). The best Russian in sixth place this time was Anastasia Sedova (RUS, Fischer skis, bindings and boots), who just left her colleague Natalia Nepryaeva (RUS, Fischer skis, bindings and boots) behind. Teresa Stadlober (AUT, Fischer skis, bindings and boots) completed her first race at her home World Championships after a slight cold in a T-shirt, but said earlier that she wanted to use this first race as a test. Eighth place, only four seconds behind fifth place, is therefore a very good result. Charlotte Kalla (SWE, Fischer skis and bindings) finished the race in ninth place.
