March 23, 2014 (Oslo, Norway) – Canada’s Rosanna Crawford, 25, nailed the performance of her life with a career-best, first-ever top-10 in the IBU women’s 12.5km mass start race, the final World Cup of the season in Oslo, Norway. The Canmore, Alta. native missed just one shot in four rounds of shooting finishing 36.3s behind winner Anastasiya Kuzmina (SVK) who suffered four penalties.

Canada's Rosanna Crawford © Nordic Focus

“It’s been a long season and now almost three months in Europe  so I’m very happy to end the season on a positive note. A new personal best is now a great place to set my goals for next season,” said Crawford, who sprained her left thumb in yesterday’s pursuit race after she collided with a Russian coach and landed on her back and rifle. “I wasn’t feeling 100 per cent so shooting was the key today, but right now I can’t wait to get home and relax, recover, see my family and my dog!”

Susan Dunklee (USA) © Nordic Focus file photo

US Biathlon’s Susan Dunklee finished 18th suffering six penalties at 1:51.4 behind the winner. “In the mass start, I struggled with the shooting and had one particularly poor standing stage,” said Dunklee. “But, I finished with a clean stage and strong fight on the last loop. I had a good run of things at the end of the season and will be headed into the summer with a lot of good motivation.”

Anastasiya Kuzmina (SVK) wins... © Nordic Focus

Teja Gregorin (SLO) placed second with two penalties at 3.8s back while Marie Dorin Habert (FRA) was third with three penalties at 8.3s behind Kuzamina who claimed her second victory in row after winning yesterday’s pursuit competition.

Kaisa Maekaeraeinen (FIN)... © Nordic Focus

In the overall series battle Kaisa Makaraenen (FIN) prevailed over home turf favourite Tora Berger (NOR), who suffered three penalties on the first standing session, unusual for the Norwegian star who is retiring this year. Makarainen won the overall by four points for her second overall globe.

Zina Kocher (CAN)... © Nordic Focus file photo

Canada’s veteran three-time Olympian Zina Kocher, who was in second following clean shooting in both prone sessions, suffered in standing with six penalties and dropped to 21st at the finish.

Final podium © Nordic Focus

“My shooting wasn’t very good at the Olympics, and I left the Games really disappointed with my performance,” added Crawford. “I’ve been very close to the top-10 in the last six races since the Games so to finally get there is great!”

Andrea Henkel (GER) retires... © Nordic Focus

“Our team has come a long way and was very strong this year,” said Crawford. “We will take this momentum into the summer and come back even stronger next year. I can’t wait to see what we can do after a summer of training.”

Results here.
Overall Standings here.

Tora Berger (NOR) also retires... © Nordic Focus