Both stars can leave the Swedish premiere in Idre with a good feeling and a receipt that things are going in the right direction ahead of the World Championship premiere in Finnish Kontiolahti in two weeks.
After a tough Saturday in difficult conditions in the distance, especially for Sebastian Samuelsson, he and Elvira Öberg shone in the sprint on Sunday.
Samuelsson, the 21-year-old, took a great revenge after finishing fifth and won with 56.5 seconds ahead of national team companion Jesper Nelin, Biathlon Östersund.
I'm very pleased, I had good speed in my legs. Lying down was very good, standing I missed the first shot but managed to recover. Nine hits are acceptable even internationally, says Samuelsson who had one miss during the two shootings in the 10-kilometer race.
"More to push with"
Elvira Öberg was second after Anna Magnusson in the distance, in the sprint the winning margin was 48.6 seconds to second-placed Anna-Karin Heijdenberg, Tullus. The Piteå skier had two misses in the standing shooting.
The skiing worked well today considering I haven't let up on any form at all. I feel today that I have more to push with, says Öberg to SVT.
It's the next step for both of them. To fine-tune their form ahead of the World Championship. Both of them have trained hard and not taken any breaks ahead of the premiere in Idre.
The skiing I haven't let up on anything yet. There has been a lot of training the last week. That's what we need to do now ahead of the World Championship. We're in a good phase, thinks Elvira Öberg.
Sebastian Samuelsson says:
I think it feels good, but the last little bit is missing.
Disappointed Ponsiluoma
On the women's side, Hanna Öberg was missing due to illness and Linn Gestblom (formerly Persson) who is rehabilitating after a shoulder operation.
Second-placed Heijdenberg and not least third-placed Ella Halvarsson, 50 seconds behind Öberg, strengthened their World Championship chances.
On the men's side, profile Martin Ponsiluoma had a tough weekend. Eighth in the distance and fourth in the sprint after poor shooting.
I'm disappointed, there's not much to take with you. It's too bad with 2+2, he says about his four misses.
