Herrmann-Wick (34), impeccable on the shooting range, was two seconds faster than Sweden's Hanna Oeberg, also author of a 10 out of 10 behind the rifle.

Another Swede, Linn Personn, completes the podium, 26 seconds behind.

Julia Simon, dressed in the yellow bib of the leader of the World Cup (even if no point in the race for the big globe is awarded at the Worlds for the first time), was penalized by her two faults committed in the standing shot: only tenth, she will start the pursuit on Sunday 1 min 02 sec behind the race leader.

"In prone shooting, I was present, very attentive. And standing up, when I miss my fourth (ball), I started to think and my legs trembled. These are a bit of a beginner's mistake but it's not easy to put these thoughts aside," says the 26-year-old Frenchwoman, expected in Oberhof with three victories and nine World Cup podiums since the start of the season.

“Today (Thursday) I failed to be focused enough on how to do things, I paid the price,” she explains.

"There are positives in this race but at this point, when I should be able to be a little more of a robot and not feel anything, I got caught up in my emotions", she summarizes, in acknowledging that "of course there is more pressure" than in the World Cup.

Frenchwoman Julia Simon on the firing line for the sprint race at the Biathlon World Championships in Oberhof (Germany) on February 10, 2023 © Christof STACHE / AFP

Elvira Oeberg out of the top 15

"I have the impression that I had the keys to a good race and a moment of inattention, of lack of demand, took me completely out (of the race). It's frustrating, continues the Savoyard . I brooded a lot on the last lap."

German Denise Herrmann-Wick won the sprint race at the Biathlon World Championships in Oberhof (Germany) on February 10, 2023 © CHRISTOF STACHE / AFP

"I really hope to be able to use this experience for the next races", she continues.

At the start of the pursuit, a direct confrontation race that she likes, Simon will start about thirty seconds behind on the virtual podium.

Elvira Oeberg (8/10 Thursday), Hanna's sister and N.1 rival of the Frenchwoman in the World Cup, will start from a little further still, 1 min 13 sec after Herrmann-Wick, in 16th position.

We will have to watch Marte Olsbu Roeiseland, who narrowly missed out on the sprint podium.

With a missed target, the Norwegian is 31 seconds behind the winner of the day, she who only started her winter in January after being weakened by two viruses in the off-season.

Herrmann-Wick, she, already world champion of the pursuit in 2019 and reigning Olympic champion of the individual, ideally begins her Worlds at home.

"There's nothing better than winning at home," she said.

Four other French women were in the running: Chloé Chevalier was ranked fifteenth, with a 9/10 (+1:11.), her sister Anaïs Chevalier-Bouchet 24th (2 faults, +1:33.), Lou Jeanmonnot 26th ( 1 fault) and Sophie Chauveau 27th (2 faults), both 1 min 35 sec from the lead.

The competition continues on Friday with the men's sprint (2:30 p.m.).

Norwegian Johannes Boe, the big favourite, will start with bib 1.

© 2023 AFP