Ingvild Flugstad Oestberg left the rest of the field on the first lap and the Norwegian team never looked back after that. Sweden's Stina Nilsson brought her team back into contention on the second leg as she joined the lead group chasing Norway. On the third leg Sweden and Finland moved ahead for the battle for the final two podium positions while Russia, Switzerland and Germany spread out for the final spots in the top six. In the end it was Laura Mononen that captured the second place spot for Finland, +18 seconds ahead of Sweden in third. A very strong final leg by Nicole Fessel brought Germany from 6th to 5th. Russia took the 4th position.
ATHLETE QUOTES
Heidi Weng (NOR)
It was so much fun to clap hands with spectators on the home stretch.
Riita-Liisa Roponen (FIN)
It is so good to be on the podium. Maria (Rydqvist) did a very good job together. She went away before the exchange. But it is great to be second.
Stina Nilsson (SWE)
I had a great race. It was the first time I skied 2nd lap and it was fun. I think I should continue. All the girls did a great job today.
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OFFICIAL RESULTS
LADIES - 4 x 5 km team relay
1. NORWAY NOR 39:23.3
OESTBERG Ingvild Flugstad 10:00.4
BJOERGEN Marit 10:11.8
HAGA Ragnhild 9:43.2
WENG Heidi 9:27.9
2. FINLAND +50.2
SAARINEN Aino-Kaisa 10:35.3
KYLLOENEN Anne 10:30.4
ROPONEN Riitta-Liisa 9:36.9
MONONEN Laura 9:30.9
3. SWEDEN +1:08.9
WIKEN Emma 10:46.6
NILSSON Stina 10:18.4
RYDQVIST Maria 9:32.8
DYVIK Anna 9:54.4
4. RUSSIA I +1:29.1
BELORUKOVA Yulia 10:28.4
KALSINA Polina 10:54.1
TCHEKALEVA Yulia 9:42.7
SEDOVA Anastasia 9:47.2
5. GERMANY +1:45.0
RINGWALD Sandra 10:36.7
HENNIG Katharina 11:18.3
BOEHLER Stefanie 9:39.2
FESSEL Nicole 9:34.1
Source: fis-ski.com
