Russia Leads on First Day of Nordic Skiing World Cup

After six medal events, Russia had three gold, two silver and three bronze medals from the first day of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Nordic Skiing World Cup in Cable, Wisconsin.

Russia bagged two podium spots in the 15km Cross Country Sitting race with Roman Petushkov (45:07.7) winning gold and Irek Zaripov (45:22.7) bronze. Canada’s Chris Klebl (45:22.7) was please to take silver.

“Making the podium today, in my first World Cup of the year, felt solid. I'm thankful for all the support from my team, in getting me there,” Klebl tweeted from @chrisklebl.

Russia also dominated the women’s 15km Cross Country Visually Impaired race, taking all three podium spots. Elena Remizova with guide Natalia Yakimova won gold in 54:55.9. In second place was the 19-year-old Paralympic multi-medallist Mikhalina Lysova with guide Alexey Ivabiv (54:56.9). Bronze went to 32-year-old Valentina Nevuduniva with guide Alexander Maltsev (8:02.3).

The men’s 20km Cross Country Visually Impaired was also lead by Russians, with Stanislav Chokhlaev and guide Maksim Pirogov (1:02:25.3) coming in first. His teammate Aleksei Toropov and guide Ilya Cherepanov (1:07:16.1) won silver and France’s Thomas Clarion and guide Julien Bourla (1:08:23.3) came third.

In the women’s 12km Cross Country Sitting, Russia’s Svetlana Konovalova (45:58.7) took Russia’s third bronze of the competition. She was beaten to the top spot by Norway’s Mariann Marthinsen (42:57.4) who took gold and Italy’s Francesca Porcellato (45:56.2) who won silver.

The standing events were the only events where Russia did not medal. In the women’s 15km Cross Country Standing, Poland’s Katarzyna Rogowiec (55:16.2) skied to victory. Japan’s Shoko Ota (57:24.8) came in second. Bronze went to Finland’s Maija Jarvela (58:09.7).

Japan and Finland also medalled in the men’s 20km Cross Country Standing with Japan’s Paralympic gold-medallist Yoshihiro Nitta (1:01:26.7) winning gold and Finland’s Ilkka Tuomisto (1:01:44.0) taking silver. Sandwiched between in second place was Norway’s Vegard Dahle (1:01:43.8).

For more information, please visit http://www.ipc-nordicskiing.org/.

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The Russian athlete celebrates victory at the 2011 IPC Biathlon & Cross-Country Skiing World Championships.