Italy’s Dorothea Wierer won a Gold medal battle with Sprint World champion Marte Olsbu Røiseland, came away with a single penalty in the last standing stage, while her rival had two, sealing the IBU World Championships Pursuit Gold medal in her home stadium. Wierer with just that one penalty finished the 10 km competition in 29:22. Germany’s Denise Herrmann, with three penalties outskied Olsbu Røiseland in the last loop to win the Silver medal, 9.5 seconds back. Olsbu Røiseland in the Bronze spot, also with three penalties finished 13.8 seconds back.
Hanna Oeberg of Sweden, with two penalties, finished fourth, 22.3 seconds back. Herrmann’s Teammate Vanessa Hinz, with one penalty finished fifth, 26. 8 seconds back. Ivona Fialkova of Slovakia, with two penalties had the best day of her career, improving from her previous personal best of 9th in Friday’s sprint to her first Flower Ceremony in 6th place, 35.7 seconds back.
Perfect Set-up
Strong shadows, with a few clouds drifting over the mountain peaks, -2C, and almost no wind were the perfect set-up for the first pursuit competition of the day. Olsbu Røiseland pushed hard from the outset, trying to increase the gap between her and the field. She paid the price with one penalty while Dunklee cleaned to grab a 10 second lead. Wierer also was perfect, moving up to just 2 seconds behind the Norwegian as they left the stadium. Preuss, Herrmann and Oeberg followed but 27 seconds back.
Italy/Norway Duo in Front
Wierer pulled a ski-length ahead of Olsbu Røiseland as they closed into less than 2 seconds behind Dunklee before the second prone stage. The Italian attacked with five fast perfect shots, as did Olsbu Røiseland; Dunklee went for a penalty loop. Herrmann cleaned to move to third, 14.4 seconds back of the leaders, with Oeberg now up to fourth, 22 seconds back and he US biathlete next at 28 seconds.
Leaders in Lockstep
The Italian initially set the pace but he Norwegian took over about 1 km into the third loop, with Herrmann closing to gap to less than 10 seconds back. The two matched closing targets perfectly and left in lockstep. The German picked up another penalty, but still held third position, but 38 seconds back. Dunklee and the perfect-shooting Hauser were next, but 48 seconds from the leaders heading to the deciding standing stage.
Wierer Wins Shooting Range Battle
Neither of the leaders ceded a meter over the 2 km loop heading to the last standing stage, with each moving in and out of the lead. Both shot fast then cautiously after misses, but Wierer got away with one penalty while Olsbu Røiseland had two. Herrmann hit four shots before missing the final one. She and the Norwegian left the loop together, 24 seconds behind Wierer. Hinz left in fourth but Oeberg was just behind.
Victory at Home
With victory secured, Wierer skied the last loop at a steady but stress-free pace, actually gaining time while her rivals battled for the Silver medal. the Yellow bib came to the stadium, slapping a few hands, smiling and pumping her arms as the crowd roared for the lady from just down the Antholz valley won her career-second IBU World Championship in her home stadium. Herrmann showed her track speed in the final 300 meters to secure the Silver medal over sprint titlist Olsbu Røiseland.
