Julia Simon (right) gave up what she thought was a sure victory. © APA/afp / MINNA RAITAVUO

Italy is at the forefront of the season drama

Sweden has won the first women's relay of the World Cup winter. However, the Scandinavian's victory was preceded by a real drama involving France's biathlon star Julia Simon.

01 December 2024

Elvira Öberg led Sweden to victory in the relay at the end of the first World Cup weekend in Kontiolahti. However, she benefited from a collapse by Julia Simon, who stopped on the last climb with a pained face and grabbed her calf. Up until then, the French had dominated the race almost at will.

Öberg, who had already overtaken Norway, left her visibly battered competitor behind and sprinted to the finish line first. Simon dragged himself across the line in second place. Norway completed the podium.

Decimated Azzurre shine

In addition to the top teams from Sweden, France and Norway, the Azzurre also shone on Sunday evening - especially the two South Tyroleans Dorothea Wierer and Hannah Auchentaller. They led Italy, which had been decimated due to the absence of overall World Cup winner Lisa Vittozzi (back pain) and Rebecca Passler (illness), to fourth place.

Hannah Auchentaller (l.) and Dorothea Wierer (r.) were convincing. © Pentaphoto

Wierer took over from Samuela Comola at the first changeover, lying in twelfth position. Italy's most successful biathlete hit all ten shots and made a furious comeback. She handed over to Auchentaller in fourth position. The 23-year-old from Antholz did the same as Wierer: she had to reload once, but still reduced the gap to the podium places and arrived at the last changeover at the same time as third-placed Swede Hanna Öberg. Although Michela Carrara could not keep up with the extremely strong top competition, she was the best of the rest of the field and ran unchallenged to fourth place. In the end, Italy did not have to make a single penalty loop.

Italy's men's relay team was less successful on Sunday afternoon, having to settle for tenth place. The World Cup program in Kontiolahti, Finland, continues on Tuesday with a men's individual competition.


Result women's relay in Kontiolahti (FIN):