Biathlon World Cup 2016 (stage 6) - Women's Relay (4x6km Team Race)

BMW IBU Biathlon World Cup 2016 (stage 6) - Women's Relay (4x6km Team Race)
24.01.2016, Antholz
Women’s Relay Victory for France
Chevalier and Dorin Habert Dominate
The French team of Justine Braisaz, Anais Bescond, Anais chevalier and Marie Dorin Habert won the women's relay today with eight spare rounds in 1:0753.5. The Czech Republic finished second with two penalties and seven spares, 17.2 seconds back. Third went to Russia with ten spares, 21.1 seconds back.
Italy finished fourth after a desperate attempt to catch Russia I the closing meters, 21.7 seconds back. Fifth went to Norway, 47.1 seconds back while surprising Sweden finished sixth, 50.5 seconds back.
Sunny Day; Packed Stadium
Another spectacular sunny day with a packed stadium for the relays; a typical first leg resulted in some conservative shooting and a lot of clean prone stages. At the first exchange, Switzerland's Selina Gasparin was in the lead, continuing her hot streak here in Antholz. Poland and Czech Republic followed. The second leg shook things up with Ukraine's Valja Semerenko showing some of her talent by taking the lead despite using two spare rounds. Anais Bescond moved her team up to second but 7 seconds back at the exchange, followed by Belarus. The Czech team fell back as they picked up two standing penalties.
Chevalier Takes Lead
France's Anais Chevalier shot quickly in prone to take the lead after the next prone stage as Ukraine needed a couple of spares to clean. Russian was now on the move with pursuit winner Ekaterina Yurlova quickly cleaning prone to bring them up to 5th position. Chevalier lengthened her lead with five quick shots, a single miss, a spare round and then out on the tracks, now 15 seconds ahead. Yurlova continued her move as she was up to third. Soukalova moved the Czech team back into contention, now 45 seconds back in sixth.
Dorin Habert to Victory
Marie Dorin Habert took the final exchange with a 10 second gap on Russia and Vitkova took over for the Czech team in fourth, but only 20 second out of first. She shot quickly in prone, extending her lead to 15 seconds over Podchufarova. Eckhoff took advantage of Vitkova's spare rounds to move into the third spot, heading to standing. With not a bit of wind in the stadium, the double World Champion cleaned to seal the victory for France. Podchufarova used a spare round to leave just 5 seconds ahead of Vitkova with Wierer chasing another 15 seconds back. Podchufarova held off Wierer to maintain third place.
Wierer admitted her disappointment, "I really wanted to get another podium. I was so far back and I pushed so hard, but was very tired and could not do it."
WCH Team
The win for France was their first of the season; their team is the one they hope to field at the IBU WCH. Dorin Habert said, "I think it is good for us to try our WCH team...All of the team did a very good job; not having any mistakes is the key to winning and it makes it easier for the last leg...it is great to finish with a win before we go to the USA."
Focused on Third
Podchufarova held off Wierer for third place. "I was only focused on finishing third. I had no idea she was so close until I was in the stadium and saw it on the video wall."