Key to Vittozzi’s victory was her clean shooting as she never held the lead until the final standing stage.

It was a remarkable comeback after she suffered six penalties in her last event, the 7.5km sprint in Pokljuka.

"I am really emotional…really happy…it is amazing," Vittozzi said through tears of joy at her first individual IBU World Cup win since Oberhof in January 2019 when she completed the double in the 7.5km sprint and 10km pursuit.

Vittozzi had also been a member of the Italy squad that won the mixed relay in the IBU World Cup in Östersund in December 2019, but today was special.

"I do not know what to say… It really means a lot," the 27-year-old from Pieve di Cadore said after crossing the line in 40min 05.9sec.

"I really worked hard for this day to come.

"I am really proud; for me it is a perfect day.

"In the past year, I learned how to start again and again and again after a bad race.

"I try to stay quiet and calm before the shooting range."

France’s Lou Jeanmonnot shot the same 20-for-20 as Vittozzi to finish second in a career-best with her first-ever World Cup podium, 39 seconds back.

Jeanmonnot’s team-mate Julia Simon, wearing the yellow bib to signify her position as overall IBU World Cup leader, finished third 45.2 seconds behind the winner in conditions similar to those the men had faced in yesterday’s 20km individual.

Temperatures of four degrees centigrade meant that the snow was soft under cloudy skies at the Chiemgau Arena.

"It is so cool I am really happy," the 24-year-old Jeanmonnot said.

"My first clean shooting in an individual race; it was a goal to achieve that today.

"With a medal at the end, it is amazing."

Simon retained her place at the top of the overall rankings with 665 points, with Vittozzi moving up to third with 463.

Sweden’s Elvira Öberg, sixth today, remains in second place with 615 points.

The IBU World Cup in Ruhpolding is due to continue tomorrow with the men’s 4x7.5km.