Norwegian Maren Kirkeeide took her first individual World Cup victory of her career when she was able to hold off the French home jumpers Lou Jeanmonnot and Justine Braisaz-Bouchet.
Halfway into the race, it was Ella Halvarsson who led the field, but on the third shot, the first standing, the chance of the first individual World Cup victory practically disappeared.
“Thinking too much”
There were two misses – the only ones of the day – for the Swede.
"Getting on the first pitch right here in France with this atmosphere and two French women right behind. It's not the easiest thing. You have to do it a few times before you can do it," says shooting coach Jean-Marc Chabloz to SVT.
I think I thought too much there. The whole situation was a bit stressful. I probably lost focus a bit from standing on track one. It's a bit of a new situation. The whole audience is cheering for someone else, says Halvarsson to SVT.
A goal in the final shootout and a strong effort in the tracks meant that Halvarsson was able to finish ninth and was the best Swede.
"This was the most fun mass start I've ever done," says the 26-year-old.
Hanna Öberg had four crashes in total, and Thursday's sprint winner came in 14th place.
“Really sucks”
Elvira Öberg had five errors in total, three of which were on the first prone, and finished in 19th place, one place ahead of Anna Magnusson (four errors).
It really sucks. Damn that would be the start, says Elvira Öberg to SVT.
This was the last race before the Christmas and New Year break. The World Cup circus starts again January 8–11 in Oberhof, Germany.
