Norwegian biathletes win women's relay ahead of Russia

Nordic

Norwegian biathletes win women's relay ahead of Russia

Karoline Offigstad Knotten (NOR, Fischer ***), Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold (NOR, Fischer ***), Tiril Eckhoff (NOR, Fischer ***) and Marte Olsbu Røiseland (NOR) claimed their second victory in the second relay race. Russia came in second with Kristina Reztsova (RUS, Fischer ***), Larisa Kuklina (RUS, Fischer ***), Svetlana Mironova (RUS, Fischer ***) and Ekaterina Yurlova-Percht (RUS, Fischer *** ). Lena Häcki (SUI, Fischer ***) secured the second podium in a row for the Swiss team.

In women's relay race finally many favorites have falllen like dominoes with France, Sweden, Italy and Germany in places seven, ten, eleven and twelve. After it initially looked like a duel between Italy and Russia, who led the race after two skiers, Italy lost the connection to the strong Russians due to Nicole Gontier. Only final skier Ekaterina Yurlova-Percht got company from Norway's Marte Olsbu Røiseland, who was 15 seconds behind after the last shooting. On the last lap, the Norwegian stormed past the Russian and took the second win in race two. Russia was able to celebrate second place thanks to first-class shooting performance with only five spare rounds. After their historic second place in Östersund, the Gasparin sisters Elisa, Selina and Aita (all SUI) and last skier Lena Häcki made it onto the podium again. After a penalty loop in the last shooting, Häcki lost the connection to Norway, but on the final lap she gave the other teams no chance and secured third place ahead of the Ukrainians Vita and Valj Semerenko, Yuliia Dzhima and Olena Pidhrushna (all UKR, Fischer ***) and the Canadians Sarah Beaudry (CAN, Fischer ***), Megan Bankes (CAN), Nadia Moser (CAN) and Emma Lunder (CAN, Fischer **).

=> Relay Hochfilzen (AUT)

* = Fischer skis

** = Fischer skis and bindings

*** = Fischer skis, bindings and boots