Biathlon: Three wins in a row for the Oeberg sisters
The Annecy-Le Grand Bornand sprint? For Hanna Oeberg. The Oberhof sprint? Dominated by Elvira Oeberg. And the one in Ruhpolding? Won by Hanna Oeberg. The 30-year-old Swede confirmed the domination she and her sister have exercised over the format for the past month at the German World Cup on Friday 16 January. “Impressive! Sprint victories stay in the family”, Elvira Oeberg, 4th on the day, toldAftonbladet.
Once again, the luck of the draw for race numbers linked the race of the older rider and her 26-year-old younger sister, as Hanna Oeberg explained to Eurosport : “In Oberhof, she started a minute ahead of me. Today, I started a minute before her: that’s the secret! We’ll continue this incredible family series as long as we can.
Third time skiing, eighth time shooting
With a 10/10 (like her six rivals), Hanna Oeberg made the difference on her skis. Sheclocked thethird fastest time on the track, just beaten by Justine Braisaz-Bouchet (8th) and Slovenia’s Anamaria Lampic (65th). She was also efficient in front of the targets, losing just eight seconds on the shooting range to Italy’s Lisa Vittozzi (3rd) and two to Germany’s Franziska Preuss (5th).
“I started the competition in the best possible way. My good, controlled first round allowed me to relax on the shooting range,” she told SVT. “It’s one of my favourite places to race here. I can really enjoy myself here,” she added to La Chaîne L’Équipe.
On Friday, Hanna Oeberg recorded her 12th top 15 finish and her third podium (including relays). These performances have enabled her to move up in the overall rankings. She is now fourth, ahead of two of her compatriots: Elvira (5th) and Anna Magnusson (6th). The three are level on 14 points and the hierarchy could well change over the next few races. Lou Jeanmonnot‘s yellow bib is still a long way off (143 points).
The Oeberg sisters will have the opportunity to continue their stranglehold on the race in Ruhpolding on Sunday (12.30pm). Should one of them win, their winning streak would be extended to four victories(Elvira also won the Oberhof pursuit).
Hanna will have a lead of less than 20 seconds over her four pursuers, while 18 competitors will start within a minute of each other. I didn’t manage very well when I started in the lead in Grand-Bornand [7th at the finish]. I hope to do better on Sunday”, she concluded for La Chaîne L’Équipe.
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