It was in German Ruhpolding that Johanna Skottheim five years ago took a surprising fourth place in the pursuit in the World Cup, but it never became the start of something big. Rather, the last seasons have been characterized by darkness, says the 30-year-old.
It has been a pure hell if I'm going to be honest. Those years I don't wish anyone had to go through, she says and continues:
That I get to stand here today and be at this level again, that I have fought my way back and have gone my own way this year and still be here. It's so big.
"Trained myself to pieces"
She says after the flawless shooting and fifth place in the 15-kilometer distance event that she hasn't felt well in recent years.
I trained myself to pieces and continued to push myself extremely hard even though my body said no. My well-being also got worse, in the end, I was at rock bottom. That I didn't give up is what I'm most proud of standing here.
This season, Skottheim started in the IBU Cup – the level below the World Cup – but got to run the World Cup again in mid-December after illnesses in the national team.
Now she became the best Swedish athlete in Ruhpolding.
I made the journey from the bottom to the top again.
Elvira Öberg was third overall in the World Cup before the distance event, but with two misses, the 25-year-old couldn't challenge for a podium spot.
It's a shame about the miss in the second prone. Distance is generally not my favorite competition, but I still do a stable race, says Elvira Öberg to SVT.
Öberg seventh
The Frenchwoman Lou Jeanmonnot – total second – was superior (full hit) and won with over 36 seconds ahead of World Cup leader Franziska Preuss, Germany. Third was Amy Baserga, Switzerland. Elvira Öberg finished seventh and was 1.30 minutes behind Jeanmonnot.
With 19 hits, I would have been second, it would have been even more fun. 90 percent (shooting accuracy) and second skiing time, that's what I'm satisfied with, says Elvira Öberg.
Ella Halvarsson finished ninth (one miss) and Hanna Öberg tenth (two). Anna Magnusson (three misses) finished 30th and Anna-Karin Heijdenberg (four) finished 53rd.
