Gabriel Koukalova ends season-opening World Cup with a win

BySportsbeat

Updated 04/12/2016 at 14:31 GMT

Double Olympic silver medallist Gabriela Koukalova secured her first World Cup win of the season after getting the better of Germany's Laura Dahlmeier in the women's 10km pursuit in Oestersund.

Gabriela Koukalova of Czech Republic reacts after winning the women's 10km pursuit during the Biathlon World Cup in Ostersund, northern Sweden, December 4, 2016.

Image credit: AFP

The Czech biathlete finished in a time of 31:43.3 with one penalty, enough to see off Dahlmeier who was 8.4 seconds back with two penalties.

Saturday's sprint winner Marie Dorin Habert quickly saw her 11-second advantage disappear after two penalties in the first prone stage, with Koukalova cleaning the first prone and taking the lead.

It was a position she never relinquished, cleaning again in the second prone stage while Dahlmeier picked up a penalty to give Koukalova almost a 30-second lead before the latter held on for the win.

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Dorothea Wierer, who started 19th, moved up quickly with her fast skis and clean shooting to finish in third place, 21.4 seconds back.

Koukalova said: "Having not so many expectations, it was easier for me to start this season. I will do my best. I am very happy about a beginning like this."

Dahlmeier holds the yellow jersey after the opening World Cup with 157 points, with Koukalova second on 132.

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