Saturday, 23,000 spectators in the Südtirol Arena Alto Adige near Anterselva lake witnessed a spectacular, high-class team event of the women, which was won in the end by Norway with a lead of 10.7 seconds. After a cautious start by Synnøve Solemdal, Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold and Tiril Eckhoff made up a place after the other even though the latter had to carry out a penalty loop. In the end, the one who made the difference was Marte Olsbu Røiseland, the superstar of this World Championships. In a unique manner she lead the Scandinavian team from third to first place, secured the team a successful title defence and herself the sixth Gold at her sixth Anterselva race.

The only nation who could in some degree keep up with the Norwegians over the whole distance was Germany. Animated by Franziska Preuß and Denise Herrmann, the German biathletes achieved Silver. The last runner, Herrmann, managed to keep Olena Pidhrushna from the Ukraine behind. Thus, the East European team finished third, like last year at the World Championships in Östersund.


Italian team on course for Gold until midway

During the first half of the race it seemed like the hosting nation could also have some say in the medals pursuit. Lisa Vittozzi and Dorothea Wierer shot incredibly fast and sound (only one reload each) so that Federica Sanfilippo was in the lead by almost one minute when she took over. The local athlete though missed two targets and had to absolve two penalty loops. The last skier, Michela Carrara, who took over in fifth place, didn't make it any better: the 22-year old had to complete one penalty loop and finished the race in tenth place.

The World Championships programme in the Südtirol Arena continues at 2.45 pm with the men’s relay.



Results Women 4x6 km Relay - World Championship Anterselva (Saturday, 22 February 2020)

1. Norway (Synnoeve Solemdal, Ingrid landmark Tandrevold, Tiril Eckhoff, Marte Olsbu Roeiseland) 1:07.05,7 (1+9)
2. Germany (Karolin Horchler, Vanessa Hinz, Franziska Preuss, Denise Herrmann) +10,7 (0+9)
3. Ukraine (Anastasiya Merkushyna, Yuliia Dzhima, Vita Semerenko, Olena Pidhrushna) +18,4 (0+8)
4. Czech Republic (Jessica Jislova, Marketa Davidova, Lucie Charvatovam Eva Kristejn Puskarcikova) +31,1 (0+10)
5. Sweden (Elvira Oeberg, Mona Brorsson, Linn Persson, Hanna Oeberg) +44,9 (1+11)
6. Switzerland (Elisa Gasparin, Selina Gasparin, Aita Gasparin, Lena Haecki) +47,1 (0+11)
7. Poland (Kinga Zbylut, Monika Hojnisz-Starega, Kamila Zuk , Magdalena Gwizdon) +50,3 (0+6)
8. Russia (Ekaterina Yurlova-Percht, Irina Starykh, Svetlana Mironova, Larisa Kuklina) +1.02,6 (1+11)
9. Canada (Emily Dickson, Emma Lunder, Megan Bankes, Nadia Moser) +2.13,7 (1+12)
10. Italy (Lisa Vittozzi, Dorothea Wierer, Federica Sanfilippo, Michela Carrara) +2.29,4 (3+12)



Comments on the race:

Marte Olsbu Roeiseland, Norway (1st place): "We are a great team that sticks together in good and bad times. In spite of my five medals, today I was very nervous before the race. But it all came off perfectly, we are overjoyed."

Franziska Preuss, Germany (2nd place): "I did my best. At the shooting I assumed full risk and was successful. My goal was to put pressure on the other athletes. And I did it, I am very satisfied."

Olena Pidhrushna, Ukraine (3rd place): "I knew I wasn't allowed any mistake. I was the fourth skier, everybody relied on my experience. Fortunately I did not disappoint my team mates, we are very happy with Bronze."