January 10, 2014 (Ruhpolding, Germany) – Gabriela Soukalova (Cze) delivered another top podium finish in the women’s 15km individual race today in Ruhpolding with one penalty. Belarus star Darya Domracheva, who was leading but suffered two penalties in the final standing session, was still able to salvage the silver besting clean-shooting Veronika Vitkova (Cze), at the finish.

Soukalova © Nordic Focus

Canada’s Rosanna Crawford placed 26th at 2:50.1 missing three targets as she lead the North Americans. Teammate Megan Heineke also landed in the points finishing 30th. The USA’s Susan Dunklee ended up 41st (3 penalties), Megan Imrie (Can) was 58th (4 penalties), Audrey Vaillancourt (Can) placed 62nd (2 penalties) while the USA’s Annelies Cook finished 85th (6 penalties).

Germany’s Franziska Hildebrand had an early stronghold on the race but a penalty in standing on the final leg cost her a podium spot. Then Domracheva looked like she might prevail but she also cracked in the final standing session. Soukalova kept her cool and cleaned both leg in standing to surpass all challenges for the win.

Rosanna Crawford © Jeff Stokoe

Since this was the second and final individual competition of the season, it determined the seasonal title and gave Soukalova the small crystal globe with two victories.

“At the start, I did not think it was going to be my day. I was a little tired from last week in Oberhof. But then I started to think about training and do it just like training. I think that helped…from now, the individual competition is my favorite,” Soukalova told Biathlonworld.com

Women’s results here