Not the overall World Cup leader, Dorothea Wierer, not sprint leader, Lisa Vittozzi, nor Kaisa Mäkäräinen, nor newly recovered Laura Dahlmeier - the winner of the opening race in Anterselva is Marketa Davidova. The 22-year-old from the Czech Republic surprised the entire competition with an outstanding performance, never missed a single shot and ran the 7.5 kilometres faster than any other. She set the winning time of 21:40,7 minutes. The Eastern European high flyer had already been on the podium in Pokljuka this season, but hardly anyone had thought her capable of such an outstanding performance in the Anterselva sprint.

Dahlmeier keeps Davidova trembling

 Davidova had an anxious wait right until the end for her first victory to be confirmed, because the final runner, Laura Dahlmeier, came dangerously close. The German double Olympic champion confirmed her improving form with a flawless shooting performance and a good start in the cross-country ski run. In the final lap, however, she lost her strength and therefore her lead and finally scarred past a place on the podium, finishing in fourth place.

 Ahead of Dahlmeier the two experienced Scandinavian skiers Kaisa Mäkäräinen (Finland) and Marte Olsbu Roeiseland (Norway) made it to the podium. After a penalty lap Mäkäräinen was 1.7 seconds slower than the stage winner, but relegated Roeiseland into third place.

 Two Italians in the top ten

 The top athletes of the host nation also played a major role at the Anterselva kick-off. Coming in in fifth place Lisa Vittozzi defended her lead in the discipline ranking, while overall World Cup leader Dorothea Wierer made it into the top ten for the eleventh time this season. The local athlete from Rasun finished in eighth place after an error at the standing position. The other two Italians Nicole Gontier (18th) and Federica Sanfilippo (53rd) also succeeded in the qualification for the pursuit competition on Saturday.

 The World Cup programme in the Südtirol Arena  continues on Friday with the men’s sprint. The race will start at 2:30 pm.

 Comments on the race:

Marketa Davidova (1st place): “I simply cannot believe that it’s true. I think it will take until tomorrow morning before I comprehend what I have achieved. I would never ever have dreamt of this, to achieve the first victory of my career here today. I am feeling really good this winter. Everything just works out - and I hope it will stay like this.”

Kaisa Mäkäräinen (2nd place): “My performance was not without error and especially one mistake in the shooting range annoys me. But I can be more than happy with the result. We have a very tight programme right now, and it is sapping my energy. Today has therefore been really hard work.”

Marte Olsbu Roeiseland (3rd place): I am really pleased for Marketa for her victory. She is still so young and yet her development is already so far advanced. For me
today was another small step in the right direction. Now I really need tomorrows’s day of rest, as the pursuit will be really difficult because of the short intervals.”

 Biathlon World Cup in Alterselva (ITA): Sprint Women, 7.5 km

1. Marketa Davidova (CZE) 21:40.7 minutes (0 misses)

2. Kaisa Makarainen (FIN) +1.7 (1)

3. Marte Olsbu Roeiseland (NOR) +3,5 (1)

4. Laura Dahlmeier (GER) +4.2 (0)

5. Lisa Vittozzi (ITA) +10,2 (1)

6. Monika Hojnisz (POL) +10,5 (1)

7. Svetlana Mironova (RUS) +13,8 (0)

8. Dorothea Wierer (ITA/Rasun) +15.2 (1)

9. Lisa Theresa Hauser (AUT) +18,7 (0)

10. Anastasiya Kuzmina (SVK) +21.1 (2)

 

18. Lisa Vittozzi (ITA) +44,1 (2)

53. Federica Sanfilippo (ITA/Ridanna) +2.04,3 (3)