Before the last shot, it looked like a battle behind Lou Jeanmonnot for second place.
Then the Frenchwoman shot two zeros, which suddenly opened up the victory struggle. Five skiers in the nearest chasing cluster – including Hanna Öberg – came into the stadium at the same time and all except Julia Simon, who later won, shot zeros.
Fast on the track
However, for Hanna Öberg, it stopped at a penalty round (two in total), and the Swede went out as second with a few seconds down to the rest of the top skiers. And on the track, she didn't spare any effort.
Öberg pulled away and could snatch her best individual placement for the season, a second place.
It was very fun to compete, and it was tight all the way. It was a fun competition to run, she says to SVT.
"Means a lot"
Hanna Öberg has had a rocky season, with illnesses and poor form. Before the pursuit, the 29-year-old had a fifth place as her best, and three top ten placements throughout the season. Therefore, the 34th career podium on Saturday was an extra important one.
It's clear that it means a lot. Finally, it feels like I'm where I want to be in both how I compete and how I experience competing. I think it's fun, I dare to be offensive without losing my head if I get a zero or so.
Sara Andersson became the next best Swedish skier, in 23rd place. Anna Magnusson became 32nd, Johanna Skottheim 39th, and Anna-Karin Heijdenberg 41st.
Elvira Öberg is missing this weekend's competitions due to illness.
