Stunning Lisa Vittozzi, victory d'authority in Estonia

After Friday’s second place in the 7.5-kilometer sprint, Lisa Vittozzi scored a resounding success on Saturday in the 10-kilometer pursuit in Otepää, Estonia: The Italian champion built her success with only two errors at the polygon, on a day when, on the other hand, several of her opponents, including highly credited ones, missed the target several times. The result is thus her ninth World Cup triumph, her second of the season, once again in the pursuit, a format that enhances the qualities of the Olympian.

Superior behind Vittozzi was Finland’s Suvi Minkkinen, who made only one mistake, while taking the third step of the podium was Lou Jeanmonnot, who is getting closer and closer to winning the crystal ball: the Frenchwoman chose a cautious approach, slowing down her times at the range to avoid unnecessary risks and bringing home a solid run. More complicated was the race of Justine Braisaz-Bouchet, very fast on skis but held back by three shooting errors that relegated her to fourth place. Fifth was Oceane Michelon, also with three mistakes.

Francesco Lucivero

As for the other Azzurre, Hannah Auchentaller and Rebecca Passler finished 22nd and 25th respectively, both of them combative but penalized by a few too many mistakes in the final series at the polygon. A day to forget instead for Michela Carrara, who finished far from the positions that count with nine errors.

In the overall standings Jeanmonnot surpasses 1,000 points and comes in at 1,009, ahead of Minkkinen’s 808 and Anna Magnusson’s 739. Lisa Vittozzi is the first of the Italians, with 720 points accumulated so far among all disciplines. As for the pursuit ranking, it is Minkkinen who leads with 362 points, ahead of Jeanmonnot&#8217s 342, Hanna Öberg&#8217s 282 and Vittozzi herself&#8217s 281.

Next up is the finals in Oslo and Holmenkollen, Norway, between March 19 and 22.