January 14, 2015 (Ruhpolding, Germany) – The Czech Republic was unstoppable topping the women’s 4x6km relay podium again this time in Ruhpolding despite slow, snowy conditions using only 9 spare rounds. Belarus took home the silver at 1:13.3 behind using six spare rounds with Germany settling for third with seven spare rounds.

Canada’s Megan Heinicke, Julia Ransom, Audrey Vaillancourt and Zina Kocher finished 11th with two penalties and 11 spare rounds while team USA’s Susan Dunklee, Hannah Dreissigacker, Annelies Cook,Madelleine Grace Phaneuf were lapped.

The Canadian team started strong with Heinicke, 26, using one spare round to tag Ransom in 2nd, who shot well until the final standing session, and dropped to 6th. Vaillancourt also shot well but anchor Kocher suffered on the range with two penalties while using six spare rounds as the winds changed and the team finished out of the top 10.

“We had awesome skis today and the highlight of the miserable weather,” said Heinicke. “The conditions were slow and super wet, but it was an awesome feeling to feel slow and still catch up to the other nations. The last loop was hard. I really enjoyed the fight to the finish line and was stoked to pass off to Julia (Ransom) in second place.”

The Czech’s led from the start with Eva Puskarcikova shooting clean followed by Canada and Poland. Germany moved up as did the Ukraine with Belarus in 4th. On the final leg Veronika Vitkova (Cze) sealed the win using two spares. Germany’s Laura Dahlmeier shot clean and looked good for second until Darya Domracheva (Bel) was able to counter with solid shooting and strong skiing to pass her on the final leg for the silver.