March 10, 2012 (Ruhpolding, GER) – With perfect racing conditions, Germany laid down some solid skiing despite a penalty in the second leg by the legendary Magdalena Neuner to capture the gold in the women’s 4x6km Relay using 10 spare rounds.

Neuner’s team mate Miriam Gossner reclaimed the lead from France on the third leg and anchor, Andrea Henkel, solidified the victory with perfect shooting in 1:09:33 as the Ruhpolding crowd went wild.

While Neuner, who save the team many times watched anxiously from the sidelines Gössner went to work. “This was the most important race of my career,” she said smiling at the post-race press conference. “Everyone wants to be on the relay… I was really nervous last night but today I was a little better when I got to the stadium. I am happy it worked out.”

France was primed for an upset but settled for second as Anais Bescond could only equal Gossner on the range but could not rival her skiing while anchor Marie Dorin Habert was no match for Henkel as they used 7 spare rounds to claim the silver.

It was fierce competition for the bronze, as Norway’s Tora Berger skied an amazing final leg to stay ahead of the hard-charging Belarus skier, Darya Domracheva, the 2012 Women’s Pursuit World Champion, by a mere 2 seconds. In contrast, Norway used 12 spare rounds to Belarus’ six.

“I was trying to go fast because I knew she was really strong. On the last uphill, I got a little ahead and took the chance to lead. I just tried to do my best and it worked out,” Berger told biathlonworld.com.

Team USA had a solid showing, as Sara Studebaker, Susan Dunklee, Annelies Cook, and Lanny Barnes raced their way to an 11th place finish, at four minutes off the pace of the Germans using 9 spare rounds.

The Canadian Team made up of Megan Imrie, Megan Heinicke, Yolaine Oddou, & Zina Kocher was just behind just over 5 minutes off the leaders claiming 13th out of 26 teams with 1 penalty and 10 spare rounds.

Kocher talked about Team Canada’s relay result on her Facebook page.  “I had a good leg using only 1 spare, but unfortunately, Yolaine had some problems in prone and did a [penalty] loop. Ah well, that’s the way it is, sometimes this happens as I know all to well.”

But Kocher is not letting anything bring her down as she looks forward to her final event of the World Championships, the 12.5km Mass Start writing, “[I] can’t wait! Bring it on!”

The 2012 IBU World Championships wrap up on Sunday with the Men’s 15km & Women’s 12.5km Mass Start events.

Full results HERE.