January 16, 2010 (Rupholding, Germany) – Helena Jonsson (SWE) continued her domination of the IBU World Cup this season, with clean shooting and quick skiing at the women’s 12.5km mass start event in Rupholding, GER on Saturday. Her clean shooting was especially important in the final stage when she found herself with Germany’s Andrea Henkel and Magdalena Neuner in the shooting range together.

The “Ice Woman” Jonsson dropped all five targets easily, while the Germans both missed two shots. That final stage, not too fast, but clean, was the determining factor for Jonsson. She skied the final loop comfortably before stopping briefly to take the Swedish flag before she skied the final meters to the finish line taking the win in 40:58.7.

Canada’s Zina Kocher continued to edge her closer towards the top-15 after finishing 17th. The Red Deer, Alta. native, who was 30th in Thursday’s sprint event, turned in a stronger performance today. Kocher missed four shots in her four bouts on the range to finish 17th with a time of 43 minutes 29.8 seconds.

“My tactic was to stay calm and shoot well today,” said Jonsson, “I shot clean and then all I had to do was to try to stay clear of Simone. I do not really know why I generally shoot so well, but I really hate going on the penalty loop. So maybe that is why I shoot well.”

Behind Jonsson Germany dominated the field with five in the top eight including Simone Hauswald, Neuner, and Martina Beck, just ahead of Kati Wilhelm. Hauswald commented, “I felt it was a lot like the German Championships with a few outsiders competing.” (Ouch!)

Women’s full results here.

IBU World Cup Rupholding Women’s 12.5km Press Conference


Results ( brief)
1. Helena Jonsson (SWE) 0+0+0+0 / T-0, 40:58.7
2. Simone Hauswald (GER) 0+1+1+0 / T -2, +23.1
3. Magdalena Neuner (GER) 1+1+1+2 / T-5 , +35.0
4. Martina Beck (GER) 0+0+1+0 / T -2, +36.5
5. 5. Kati Wilhelm (GER) -+1+0+1, T-2, +38.7
17. Zina Kocher (CAN) 0+1+2+1 / T-4, +2:31.1