January 08, 2010 (Oberhof, Germany) – Despite a penalty loop, Germany’s Simone Hauswald won today’s IBU World Cup women’s 7.5km sprint in Oberhof, GER. Even with very cold conditions – temperatures around -10°C – the stadium was full, and the hometown crowd rose in the stands to cheer Hauswald into the finish with a time of 22 :15.1.

Second place went to current World Cup leader, Helena Jonsson (GER), who also missed just one shot, and ended up 8.7seconds back. And finishing just ahead of legendary Kati Whilhelm (GER) was Ann Kristin Aafedt Flatland (NOR), for third place. The U.S. Biathlon team competed today and Haley Johnson was the top finisher in 61st, with 4 penalties and a time of 25:51.8.

Women’s full results here.

Results (brief)

1. Simone Hauswald (GER), 0+1, 22:15.1
2. Helena Jonsson (SWE), 1+0, 22:23.8
3. Ann Kristin Aafedt Flatland (NOR), 0+1, 22:32.6
4. Kati Wilhelm (GER), 0+2, 22:56.6
5. Svetlana Sleptsova (RUS) 0+1, 23:03.7

61. Haley Johnson (USA), 2+2, 25:51.8