Ostersund, Sweden  - Helena Jonsson of Sweden won her first individual biathlon World Cup event by clinching the women's 15km before a home crowd in Ostersund on Thursday.

Jonsson, 24, made no errors on the shooting range on her way to victory in 45 minutes 05.1 seconds in the first women's World Cup event of the season.

Three-time Olympic winner Kati Wilhelm of Germany had to be content with second place, 39.7 seconds behind after one shooting error.

Russia's Yekaterina Yuryeva was third, 1:10.3 behind Jonsson with one shooting error, ahead of last season's champion Magdalena Neuner of Germany, who was 5.1 seconds further back after one error.

Germany's Michael Greis won the opening men's World Cup race of the season over 20 kilometres in Ostersund on Wednesday.

The World Cup programme continues in Ostersund on Friday with a men's 10km sprint and a women's 7.5km sprint. (dpa)