December 03, 2015 (Oestersund, Sweden) – Canada’s Rosanna Crawford charged to a 13th-place finish in the women’s 15km individual at the IBU World Cup opener in Oestersund, Sweden on Thursday. Italy’s Dorothea Wierer shot clean to win while Marie Dorin Habert, of France held on to the silver medal despite missing two shots in her first standing. Olean Pidhrushna (Ukraine) also shot clean for the bronze.

Rosanna Crawford © Nordic Focus

Feeding off her first World Cup podium this past weekend when she teamed up with Nathan Smith to win the silver medal in a rare individual mixed-relay event, the 27-year-old Crawford admitted, “I was pretty nervous going into today’s race. Being the first real one of the season, everyone is curious if all their hard work over the summer has paid off. But the range had just a flutter in the flags and the tracks were hard fast, so I was looking forward to the race.”

American Clare Egan, 28, competing in just her second World Cup event, led the U.S. team with a 44th-place finish suffering three penalties – her best result to date.

Clare Egan ©

“Tonight was a perfect night for biathlon racing,” said Egan. “It was clear with little wind, and the course conditions were excellent. I started last in bib 103, so I saw Susan finish before I even went to the starting line. It was actually relaxing to take my time and hang out for 40 minutes in the cafeteria eating cookies while I waited. My skis were extremely fast and I skied smart and in control, which played out well for me on the range. Today’s shooting percentage was my best yet at the World Cup level. I see an opportunity to improve because I know that as I compete in more races my ski speed will come.”

Canada’s Julia Ransom finished 52nd while teammate Megan Tandy placed 67th, Hannah Dreissigacker (USA) was 80th, Susan Dunklee (USA) was 84th, Annelies Cook finished 91st while Zina Kocher was 98th.

One of the most challenging venues on the elite biathlon circuit that punishes many of the world’s best with its long, steep climbs and blustery shooting conditions, Crawford, of Canmore, Alta., calmed the storm by missing just one shot in each of her two standing rounds of shooting.

“I defiantly want to consistently be in the top-15, with hitting the top-10 more than last year. My main goal is a podium in a non-team event,” said Crawford, whose priority is to peak at the World Championships. “These first three World Cups are my favourite venues, so I know they will be my best chance to be on the podium.”

Full results here.