Still on course for a medal after the third shooting, another mistake and a less than ideal mileage threw the Tyrolean out of the race for medals. Sprint winner Marte Olsbu Röiseland (NOR) won her third gold in China.
Very dry fresh snow and a slow track presented the athletes with an enormous challenge. Röiseland seemed unimpressed by this, after the mixed relay and sprint she also triumphed in the pursuit. With a big lead, also thanks to the best shooting performance in the top ten and only one mistake. The Swede Elvira Öberg (3 penalties) was already 1:36.5 minutes behind, but kept second place from the sprint. Norway’s Tiril Eckhoff (+1:48.7/3) improved to bronze.
Hauser had to go beyond her limits. “I’ve rarely experienced such a brutal race,” said the 28-year-old mass start world champion. “For a medal I would have had to clear four times. Fourth and seventh, those are very good results, but you just wish for something else.” The running time was “certainly not satisfactory”.
Katharina Innerhofer ended up as the second best Austrian with three penalties in 22nd place (+3:37.8 min.). Julia Schwaiger was 44th after three missed shots (+5:55.3).
Source: Nachrichten
