Franziska Preuss Clinches Biathlon World Cup After Dramatic Finish

In the last visit to the valley in the mass start in Holmenkollen, Lou Jeanmonnot and Franziska Preuss were second and third respectively – behind leading Swedish Hanna Öberg.

The latter shot away the victory with three misses, while the two others – first and second in the total World Championship cup before Sunday – shot full.

They went out as first and second, closely followed by Elvira Öberg, who had advanced to the podium discussion, and great drama followed.

The Frenchwoman fell

Everything culminated just before the skiers were to enter the stadium, where Jeanmonnot fell at a tight curve. According to the images, the Frenchwoman seemed to get stuck with her left pole in the left ski.

The German stood on her feet and could ski home her career's first total World Championship victory.

Right now it's emotional. I'm mentally exhausted. It's a strange feeling now. It's not the end we wanted with the fall, but a very exciting race, says Preuss with a trembling voice in the winner's interview on SVT.

"Sacrificed so much"

Afterwards, France filed a protest regarding the situation, according to SVT – which was however withdrawn before the jury had gathered.

Thus, the World Championship victory for Preuss remains, who previously had a third place as best.

I have sacrificed so much for this, with being away from my family during the winter, which is tough. I probably need a few minutes for this to sink in, continues the 31-year-old.

"Very pleased"

Lou Jeanmonnot, who finished third in the race, became World Cup runner-up for the second time in her career.

The best Swedish in the competition was Elvira Öberg with a second place. A placement that makes her advance to a fourth place in the World Cup total.

I'm very pleased with my competition today. I feel surprisingly fresh throughout the race and dare to push. We also have fantastic skis today, so I'm very pleased, says she in SVT.

"Incredibly good season"

The second place means that Elvira has finished on the podium in nine of 20 individual races this year.

I'm incredibly pleased with that. Then the sprints are too bad, but if I strike them, it's an incredibly good season. I've won World Championship gold, worn the yellow jersey, and made some of my life's best competitions. Then there's been a rollercoaster with illness and so, but the peaks have been enormously high.

Sister Hanna Öberg finished twelfth and tenth overall.

Simon Karlsson/TT