IBU Biathlon 2015 World Championships - Women's 15km INDIVIDUAL Race 11.03.2015, Kontiolahti Yurlova Stuns Field; Wins 15K Gold First Podium and Victory Ekaterina Yurlova of Russia stunned the big stars of biathlon by starting near the end of the competition, shooting clean and winning Gold in the women's 15K individual in 41:33.2. It was her first podium and first victory in the 30-year-old's career. Her previous best was a fifth place in the Pokljuka mass START in the 2012-13 season. The Silver medal went to Gabriela Soukalova of Czech Republic, with one penalty, 23.2 seconds back. Local hero Kaisa Mäkäräinen claimed Bronze, with two penalties, 24.4 seconds back. Dorothea Wierer of Italy finished fourth, with one penalty, 24.8seconds back, while Daria Virolaynen of Russia finished fifth, with one penalty, 37.9 seconds back. Laura Dahlmeier of Germany finished sixth, with two penalties, 40.5 seconds back. Good Biathlon Weather The women got a break for this under-the-lights competition. After a warm afternoon, a cold front moved through, leaving behind calm winds and clear skies; good biathlon weather. Soukalova and Two Italians Soukalova took the lead immediately with a solid clean prone stage, leading a parade of more than 30 women who shot clean. Shortly after her Karin Oberhofer shot clean and faster, to soon be overtaken by Mäkäräinen. Going to the first standing stage, Oberhofer cleaned again to take the lead with Soukalova just seconds back. Yellow/Red Bib Darya Domracheva struggled and missed three shots putting her out of podium contention. Mäkäräinen had a penalty but stayed in the top five. Wierer had a penalty and left for the second prone in seventh position. Coming to the second prone stage, Soukalova took charge, with another clean stage. Her lead was almost 50 seconds over Oberhofer, and more than a minute ahead of Wierer, both of whom had a single penalty. Mäkäräinen had another penalty, but was continuing to ski well. Still she was 1:47 behind Soukalova. The battle for the medals looked like the two Italians and Soukalova at this point. Missed Shots In the final standing on such a demanding course, fatigue was surely becoming a factor. Soukalova continued to shoot with confidence yet had a penalty. Then just a couple of minutes later, her closest rival Oberhofer had three, taking her out of contention. Yet, just behind her, Wierer cleaned and was suddenly just 4 seconds behind the Czech star. Both women pushed to the max on the last loop. Soukalova finished and, Wierer was CLOSING in on her first position. Try as she might, the smiling Italian missed catching Soukalova. Away from the finish area, Mäkäräinen cleaned the final standing stage, leaving 38.1 seconds back but in fourth position, just 24.1 seconds behind Virolaynen, who was in the third spot. The local hero determined effort to grab a spot on the podium. Coming into the home stretch, it actually seemed like she might pass Soukalova. But she just missed, having to settle for second position, with Wierer in the third spot, at that time. Ekaterina Yurlova Takes the Gold The results stood there and looked set until Yurlova at number 93 started. She matched Soukalova and was just 15 seconds back after the third stage. The diminutive Russian continued at a torrid pace; came to the final standing stage, and calmly cleaned. She left the stadium with a 32.8 second lead and the chance for a GOLDmedal. Her journey to the podium continued to look golden with each step. Although she was losing seconds, Yurlova was heading to the biggest surprise of the Championships so far; a few seconds would not matter. Topping the wall, she knew the victory was hers. Her smile told the story. Katja was the only women in the field to shoot clean and as World Champion! Wanted to be on the Podium Yurlova commented on her big day, This is the third time that I shot four times zero. My first race was today at the WCH; I wanted to be on the podium. That was my dream. I told my dad that I could do it after my medals at the IBU OECH in Otepää; I guess now he will believe me!" Wind Soukalova aid, "I did not realize until the last minute before that I could be the winner; I had hoped for a top five, so I am happy with this medal. We had regular conditions today; I was very scared of the wind." New Race Mäkäräinen with her Bronze medal in hand admitted, "Of course, it is a little relief. I do not want to think about the medal in that way though. It was a new race today and I did my job. I am happy that I won a medal at the World Championships. I knew that I did a good job in the last loop so I am not so disappointed about not catching Gabriela."

• published: 12 Mar 2015
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