March 07, 2016  (Oslo, Norway) – American Susan Dunklee fought back to claim a best-ever 10th in the women’s 10km Pursuit on Sunday at the IBU World Championships in Oslo, a day after she delivered a career-best eighth in the sprint at the IBU Worlds. Rosanna Crawford was the top Canadian in 27th.

Susan Dunklee (USA) © Nordic Focus

Clean-shooting Laura Dahlmeier of Germany dominated to win her country’s first gold medal in 30:49.2. Dorothea Wierer of Italy had two penalties but claimed the silver at 48.3 seconds back while defending champ, Marie Dorin Habert of France won the bronze with three penalties at 57.3 seconds behind Dahlmeier.

Laura Dahlmeier (GER) © Nordic Focus

Dunklee, who’s previous best pursuit finish at the Worlds was 34th last year, quickly moved up with the race leaders in fifth place after shooting clean in the first prone position. Despite a miss in the second prone shooting stage, she maintained her fifth-place position at 42.6 seconds out of the lead.

Rosanna Crawford © Nordic Focus

A disastrous first standing session, with three missed targets, knocked her all the way down to 20th and dashed any podium hopes. A clean final round in standing moved Dunklee back up to 15th as she turned in the second-fastest time on the final lap passing four other competitors including World Cup leader Gabriela Soukalova of the Czech Republic, to cross the line in 10th at 1:52.5 behind the winner.

Dreissigacker © Dave Allen

“Missing three shots after sitting in fifth at the halfway point was heartbreaking,” said Dunklee. “At that point, the leaders had been right in front of me. All I could do after that is bring my focus back to process of racing well by doing the best I could do in each given moment. I was very surprised at the finish to see I had fought my way back into 10th.”

Julia Ransom © John Gibson

The USA’s Hannah Dreissigacker finished 36th with four penalties at 3:43.2 back while Canada’s Julia Ransom climbed eight spots to finish 42nd with three missed targets at 4:38.2 behind Dahlmeier.

The Biathlon World Championships continue on Wednesday with the women’s 15-kilometre individual competition.

Results here.