There were no individual medals for the Swedish biathlon women during the Olympics in Italy.
But when Elvira Öberg took to the World Cup tracks again, nothing could stop the Swede from her third World Cup victory of the season. The 27-year-old landed all 20 of her shots and had the best pace in the individual race throughout.
“Absolutely crazy”
It was like it happened by itself today. It's crazy that I shot four zeros and did so well. I had very good focus at the shooting range. You have to take the opportunity to enjoy it, she says in SVT's broadcast.
The fact that things went better this time than during the Olympics in Italy does not surprise Elvira Öberg.
There's more oxygen in the air here. Slightly colder temperatures. Hard, nice trails. This is a place I really enjoy and it suits my skiing very well. It doesn't get any better than this, she says.
Never before have Elvira and Hanna Öberg finished first and second respectively in a World Cup competition, and for a long time it looked like it would be a sibling duel for the victory. Then Hanna missed a shot in the last shooting round, which meant that Elvira's victory was assured. In individual races, each missed shot means there will be a one-minute time penalty instead of a penalty loop.
“Bombproof”
It was about time. It's a shame she was ahead. No, she actually shot 20 out of 20 so she is a well-deserved winner, says Hanna Öberg and continues:
I felt as stable as ever. The prone series felt bombproof. It was a nice feeling.
Being able to show great achievements after a less successful Olympics makes her happy.
It means a lot to both of us, getting revenge after the individual races at the Olympics that perhaps weren't what we dreamed of, says Hanna Öberg.
Paulina Batovska Fialkova of Slovakia was third.
Anna Magnusson came eighth, Anna-Karin Heijdenberg was 13th, Linn Gestblom 24th and Ella Halvarsson 51st.
On Friday it's the men's turn to compete in a distance race in Kontiolax.
