French soldier, Florence Baverel-Robert produced the race of her long career to win the women’s 7.5km biathlon sprint on Day 6. But she did it the hard way.

Snow and blustery winds drastically changed track conditions just hours before the final at Cesana San Sicario, forcing the athletes and their technicians to make last minute adjustments to skis and wax.

In a mad scramble, technicians rang their counterparts at the cross country venue at nearby Pragelato Plan, where the women's 10km classical race had just been held, to assess the snow conditions.

In another dramatic change pre-race, one of the favourites, Russian Olga Pyleva was forced to withdraw through illness. Pyleva was the silver medallist in the 15km individual race at Torino 2006.

31 year old, Baverel-Robert had never won a major international race, but she produced her best when it counted, crossing the finishing line in 22:31.4 seconds.

“It was my best race, the first time I am first in a race. I am very happy and it’s a wonderful day,” Baverel-Robert said.

The Frenchwoman was one of 13 competitors in the 83-strong field to shoot clear rounds in the prone and standing shoots.

Sweden’s Anna Carin Olofsson won silver, finishing 2.4 seconds behind Baverel-Robert and Ukranian Lilia Efremova took bronze.

The top 60 competitors from the sprint qualified for the 10km pursuit competition to be held on 18 February (Day 8) at Cesana San Sicario.

Tracy Parish/AOC
Torino