BMW IBU Biathlon World Cup 2016 (Week 4/Day 3) - Women's 12,5km Mass Start race

Two In a Row for Dahlmeier

Photo Finish for Third
Clean-shooting Laura Dahlmeier of Germany won the women’s mass start today in 33:17.7, giving her four wins this season. France’s Marie Dorin Habert was second with one penalty, 15.3 seconds back. Tiril Eckhoff of Norway, with two penalties claimed third in a photo-finish with France’s Anais Bescond; both 21.9 seconds back.

Anais Bescond of France in fourth, shot clean. Olena Pidhrushna of Ukraine matched Bescond on the shooting range to finish fifth, 30.5 seconds back. Susan Dunklee of the USA finished sixth, with one penalty, 31.4 seconds back.

Early Leaders

The women started in similar conditions to men, with a warm, +3 degrees temperature and light wind at the shooting range. Vanessa Hinz took the lead after first prone, thrilling the German crowd. Her lead disappeared after a penalty in the second prone, eventually finishing 19th.

Tiril Eckhoff finished fourth in yesterday's pursuit. Today she was determined to get to the podium. The Norwegian took the lead on the second loop, but a standing penalty made it a tougher task.

Confident Win

Dahlmeier looked strong from the start today. After cleaning the final stage, the gap to Dorin Habert grew from 8 to 17 seconds, and she confidently crossed the finish line waving a German flag. "It was a perfect competition for me. I don't know what else to improve. Such performance is good for German biathlon."

She added on her slow shooting times, "I always need some time for the shooting, that's why I need to compensate this with my skiing. "

Dahlmeier is looking forward to the next competitions. "I am looking forward for next week. I know we will have many spectators from Germany, and this is going to be exciting. "

Dorin Habert in Second

World Champion Dorin Habert started off in front, but one penalty in the first prone moved her down to 23rd position. Her fast skis and perfect shooting after that was the key to second place. "I am hungry for other wins and I hope to be on the podium next week. I didn't see a chance to catch Laura in this form, I knew she was strong...I made a miss at the first shooting, and it was hard to come back to the top of the race."

Photo-Finish

Eckhoff claimed third in the photo-finish after Bescond challenged her in the final meters. Both lunged for the line; 8.4 millimeters separated them. The Norwegian commented on the close battle. "In the last loop I crossed my fingers, and I was lucky one at the very end. It's nice to be back on the podium."

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