March 11, 2016  (Oslo, Norway) – The Norwegian women’s team delivered gold on home snow claiming the 4x6km Relay over France and Germany on Friday at the IBU World Championships in Oslo, Norway. The U.S. women’s relay squad finished 13th while Canada was 15th out of 23 teams on the start line.

Team Norway © Nordic Focus

Finland took an early lead as Susan Dunklee started strong for the U.S. but needing two spares dropped her to 10th at the exchange with Hannah Dreissigacker. Canada’s Julia Ransom was just behind in 13th also using two spares as she handed off to Rosanna Crawford. Germany was mid-field while France was way back in 19th.

Susan Dunklee (USA) and Canada's Julia Ransom © Nordic Focus

Crawford was on fire with the third fastest time on her leg catapulting the Canadians into first using using one spare while Dreissigacker needed three spares as the US dropped to 16th. Germany surged to take over second followed by the Ukraine in third, while France recovered moving up to 7th with Norway in 9th.

Rosanna Crawford (CAN) © Nordic Focus

Canada’s Sarah Beaudry needed two spares on the third leg as Canada fell to 9th. The USA’s Clare Egan also used two spare rounds but was able to gain two spots as she tagged Annelies Cook in 14th. Meanwhile Norway’s Tiril Eckhoff shot clean to take over first as Germany and France took up the chase in second and third.

Norway’s Marte Olsbu needed four spares but was able to hold off her rivals for the gold with France second and Germany third. The USA’s Cook hit nine of her 10 targets, including going clean in prone, to help the US grab 13th at the finish. Canadian anchor Zina Kocher suffered on the range with three penalties and six spare rounds finishing the day in 15th.

“I am very proud of these ladies and all the work we have done together over the years to get to this point,” said Dunklee. “We put together a great shooting performance today and finished the last relay of the season with a positive feeling.”

Results here.