12:49 p.m
Herrmann asserts himself
Denise Herrmann keeps her cushion at five seconds until the first split. All athletes will manage their strength tactically, since the run in the Finnish forests is one of the more difficult routes on the World Cup calendar.
12:47 p.m
Preuss has started
In the meantime, the last three German runners, Franziska Hildebrand, Franziska Preuss and Janina Hettlich, have also set out on the trail. After her injury and corona break, Preuss is currently trying to catch up with the world’s best again, most recently the 27-year-old has struggled with her performance at the shooting range.
12:45 p.m
Here we go!
The chase in Kontiolahti, Finland is on! As the sprint winner, Denise Herrmann pushes herself energetically out of the starting corridor, only a few moments later her pursuers start. In particular, the powerful Tiril Eckhoff, Stina Nilsson and Hanna Öberg will want to catch up quickly on Herrmann.
12:38 p.m
tight time intervals
Denise Herrmann is definitely not allowed to rest as the first, because the gaps to the rear are extremely small this time. Just five seconds after the German, Norwegian Tiril Eckhoff and former cross-country skier Stina Nilsson from Sweden will take to the track. Another two seconds behind is Hanna Öberg, who in turn has Anaïs Chevalier-Bouchet breathing down her neck. Overall, the first 18 runners are within a minute, which is why, among others, Marte Olsbu Røiseland, Elvira Öberg, Dorothea Wierer and Julia Simon will have to be kept in mind.
12:31
Trio from Switzerland
After a strong fifth place in the relay on Thursday, the Swiss team was not able to continue the excellent performance in the individual race. Aita Gasparin will be the first Swiss woman to take to the track in 22nd place, 1:09 minutes behind. She is likely to be the only one still able to place at the top. Lena Häcki (+1:38 minutes) and Selina Gasparin (+2:12 minutes) are initially concerned with a flawless appearance on the shooting range, in contrast Elisa Gasparin could not qualify for the pursuit.
12:24
houses far back
The starting position in the Austrian Ski Association is less promising. For a change, Dunja Zdouc achieved the best result in yesterday’s sprint in the red-white-red team, who will be just over a minute behind Denise Herrmann at the start in 19th place. On the other hand, Lisa Theresa Hauser (+1:14 minutes) couldn’t cope, especially on the shooting range, and now needs to catch up. While Julia Schwaiger (+1:34 minutes) completes the team as the third Austrian, Anna Juppe didn’t make it into the pursuit of the top 60 athletes.
12:18
DSV duo in a good starting position
After Denise Herrmann’s great performance in the sprint, the individual Olympic champion will go into pursuit as the hunted. “Actually, I don’t like the tracks that much, but somehow I always have good races here,” said the 33-year-old yesterday after her eighth World Cup victory. Also in the midst of the world class is Vanessa Voigt, who will start sixth just 16 seconds after Herrmann. Vanessa Hinz (+36 seconds), whose qualities are primarily based on the shooting range, wants to defend twelfth place. A little further down the field, Franziska Hildebrand (+1:15 minutes), Franziska Preuss (+1:24 minutes) and Janina Hettich (+1:51 minutes) will start the competition.
12:10 p.m
Welcome!
Hello and welcome to the final day of the Biathlon World Cup in Kontiolahti, Finland! In the 10-kilometer pursuit, Denise Herrmann starts the race in pole position. It starts at 12:45 p.m.