Elvira Öberg took over from big sister Hanna Öberg and started as third, far behind France.
Little sister Öberg was the fastest of all in the cross-country skiing. But she knew that Julia Simon is stable and rarely misses in important situations. But at the last shooting, she saw that Simon had shot a penalty round.
Then I understand that if I shoot full on a fairly effective series, we'll probably go out at the same time, says Elvira Öberg.
It's a mix of fear and delight to go out with someone I know is strong on the final stretch.
"Special finish"
She and the national team coach had, however, laid out a plan, and she received coaching during the lap on which variant she should go with.
But I noticed that she started to let go already before I was to start my speed increase and became quite surprised. But knew that you could stumble on the track.
In the end of the long hill, Simon bent down and grabbed her calf. She managed to continue, but also on the final stretch, she grabbed her calf. Then Elvira Öberg had been in the goal for a long time.
Simon had probably got cramp or a minor strain.
It was a special finish, says Öberg.
Good performer
Hanna Öberg got a cold and missed both the Sweden premiere and Saturday's first World Cup competitions in Kontiolahti, Finland.
It was therefore a part of nerves. I'm very pleased with what I do, I get out what I have for the day. I succeeded in the shooting, could drop my shoulders and do what I'm supposed to – it feels super super good, says Hanna Öberg.
The skiing is not my life's best, but I'm not worried about it. It was a good performance for me.
Anna Magnusson skied the first leg and Sara Andersson the second leg in her very first relay in the World Cup. It became a penalty round for her, but national team coach Johannes Lukas is very pleased with her performance.
She does fantastically well, does a super fast prone series, skis a super fast second lap and is fast with the reserve shots. The time she lost in the penalty round, the others lost on the first lap, he says.
