Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold fell in the final act of the season. © Screenshot

Controversial fall decides season finale

The women's relay at the World Cup in Antholz featured a spectacular battle for victory between Norway, Sweden and France - which was ultimately decided due to a controversial crash scene.

26 January 2025

From the South Tyrol Arena in Antholz

Hanna Öberg was not really happy when she crossed the finish line as the winner. A few moments earlier, she had been in a close duel for victory with Norwegian Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold, after the duo had managed to leave Frenchwoman Julia Simon behind after a long struggle. Öberg and Tandrevold touched and got caught up in their skis and poles - with the more unfortunate end for Tandrevold.

The four-time world champion fell, Öberg sealed the Swedish triumph without further resistance (1:07.26,0 minutes/0 penalty laps+6 reloads). Tandrevold secured second place (+23,7 seconds/0+7), Simon secured third place for France (+23,6/0+8). Öberg and Tandrevold briefly high-fived each other in the finish area, and a few minutes later the winner consoled the unlucky Norwegian.

Auchentaller ignites the turbo

There was no happy ending for the Azzurre at the home game in the South Tyrol Arena. After a great fight, Hannah Auchentaller, Dorothea Wierer, Samuela Comola and Michela Carrara took fifth place (+2.17,4/1+9). Auchentaller made a particularly strong impression. The 23-year-old from Antholz exceeded her own expectations as the first runner and snatched the best time on the trail in her section with a lead of 0,6 seconds over the Frenchwoman Jeanne Richard. She used a reload at the shooting range and handed over to Wierer in fourth place.

Hannah Auchentaller (front) showed off. © NordicFocus / NordicFocus

The two-time overall World Cup winner, however, experienced a kind of déjà vu during her performance. In the prone position, the 34-year-old only had to reload once, while in the standing position she made three mistakes – memories of her botched effort in the sprint woke up. Wierer defended fourth place, but the gap to the top trio could not be closed. While Comola kept the Azzurre on the "sheet metal course", Carrara made too many mistakes in the final standing start. The 27-year-old had to go into the penalty loop, Switzerland took advantage of this slip-up and pushed past (4th/+2.13,8/1+8).

The last race of the World Cup weekend is scheduled for 14.45:XNUMX p.m. in Antholz. The men around Tommaso Giacomel and Lukas Hofer will attack in the pursuit.