To say the least, Elvira Öberg made a successful competition in Thursday's sprint in Nove Mesto. She was the only one of the Swedes to shoot fully and got into eighth place.
- I am very happy, finally I got to shoot fully what I have been waiting for a long time, she tells SVT Sport.
It is her best place in a world cup competition so far in her career and the first time she gets into the top ten.
- I have seen that it was within reach, but it has usually been a boom too much. It is truly inspiring and not at all impossible to take the next step.
"Like running a Sweden Cup"
There was a spooky atmosphere at the stadium in the Czech Republic. Usually, the races in Nove Mesto tend to be a public party, but because of concerns about the spread of the corona virus, the races were run without crowds. Something that gave Elvira vibes of driving at home.
- It felt a bit like running a Sweden Cup competition at home. I've still run more races without a crowd than with, so nobody knows what affected me, she says.
Seconds after the lilac
On the last lap there was an internal fight against big sister Hanna Öberg. Elvira was four seconds ahead of Hanna from the other shooter, but lost on the lap and was six seconds behind her sister in goal.
After the competition, national team manager Anders Byström was impressed with Elvira's shooting.
- Fantastic good of Elvira to shoot full, she is a really tough girl who can handle tough situations, he tells SVT Sport.