Once the men’s Sprint show has been archived, in Haute-Savoie it is time to also see the women’s sector competing, where however many notable absences stand out. The third Sprint of the season will start on Friday at 2.20pm, with five Italians registered and ready to battle in a race context that should be improving. In fact, a drop in temperatures is expected in Le Grand Bornand which should bring snow and a decidedly more wintry panorama.
“Only” 98 athletes are registered in the Le Grand Bornand women’s sprint, the third of the 2024/25 World Cup. There are many absences and significant ones: the forfeits of Lisa Vittozzi and Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold and that of Hanna Oeberg are already known, in search of the best condition. However, this week also saw the withdrawals of Juni Arnekleiv, for a Norway that presents itself at the start with only five athletes, and above all of Marketa Davidova, winner of the first Sprint of the season in Kontiolahti and fourth in the general classification.
Five Italians at the start, with the absence of Beatrice Trabucchi compared to Hochfilzen. However, her younger sister Martina has been confirmed and, after a good debut in CdM in Austria, will be at the start with number 67, between Vanessa Voigt (66) and Anna Magnusson (68), winner in these parts in the last Sprint held in 2022. In the first part of the match we will instead see Samuela Comola (26) and Hannah Auchentaller (32), while Dorothea Wierer caught 50 and Michela Carrara the 61.
In the blue group, i.e. the one preceding her best in the general, we will see Lena Haecki-Gross (16), the young German Selina Grotian (20) and Anamarija Lampic (23), preceded by the first of the blues, Sophie Chauveau (22). With bib 28 here is the Swedish Hejdenberg, but Maya Cloetens (30), Jeanne Richard (34), the Polish Sidorowicz (36) and Sara Andersson (38) will also be worth paying attention to.
Opening the red group will be Suvi Minkkinen, third in the season-opening Sprint in Kontiolahti. After the Finn we will get to the heart of the fight for the day’s victory and for the CdM: in rapid succession we will see Elvira Oeberg (44), Justine Braisaz (46) and Julia Simon (48). To see the yellow-red bib of the leader of the general and specialty rankings on the track we will have to wait for 54: Franziska Preuss, perhaps in the best version of her career, will precede Michelon (56), blue bib of the best under 23, and Julia Tannheimer ( 58), ahead of Lou Jeanmonnot (62) and Ella Halvarsson (64).
Quite the complete startlist!
THE PROGRAM OF THE GREAT BORNAND (BROTHER)
Friday 20 December
2.20pm – Women’s sprint 7.5 km (Totobiathlon)
Saturday 21 December
12.30 – Men’s pursuit 12.5 km (Totobiathlon)
2.45pm – Women’s 10km pursuit (Totobiathlon)
Sunday 22 December
12:30 – Mass Start maschile 15 km (Totobiathlon)
14:45 – Mass Start femminile 12.5 km (Totobiathlon)
