Chalencon claims first biathlon World Cup win

France’s Para Nordic skier won the men’s Individual visually impaired race in Western Center, Ukraine, on 17 January. 17 Jan 2017
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Para Nordic Skiing World Cup Western Center - Ukraine

The 2016-2017 Para Nordic Skiing World Cup at Western Center, Ukraine.

ⒸNPC Ukraine
By IPC

France's Anthony Chalencon, guided by Simon Valverde, won the first biathlon race of his career at the Para Nordic skiing World Cup in Western Center, Ukraine, on Tuesday (17 January), displaying his potential ahead of this year’s World Championships.

Chalencon (44:20.2), a former alpine skier, shot clean to claim victory in the men’s Individual visually impaired. He was followed onto the podium by Belarus’ multiple-Paralympic medallist Vasili Shaptsiaboi (44:58.2) and guide Dzmitry Budzilovich. Ukraine’s Iaroslav Reshetynskiy (44:58.8), guided by Artur Gergardt, was third.

France enjoyed more success courtesy of Benjamin Daviet (40:59.7) in the men's standing. Without dropping a shot, Daviet crossed the finish line first ahead of Norway’s Nils-Erik Ulset (43:17.7) and Ukraine’s Grygorii Vovchynskyi (43:58.4).

With 220 points, Daviet is now only 10 points away from overall rankings leader Ulset.

Four other countries secured wins in the biathlon Individual on Tuesday.

Ukraine’s Paralympic bronze medallist Oksana Shyshkova (45:06.4), guided by Vitalii Kazakov, won the women’s visually impaired to continue her winning run - she has not lost a biathlon race since 2015.

Shyshkova’s compatriot Olga Prylutska and guide Borys Babar (45:12.7), and Germany’s Clara Klug (47:09.0), guided by Martin Hartl, followed her onto the podium in second and third respectively.

Ukraine’s two-time biathlon Paralympic champion Oleksandra Kononova (45:40.9) was the fastest in the women’s standing. Japan’s Momoko Dekijima (48:09.2) and compatriot Iuliia Batenkova (48:33.3) finished second and third, respectively.

Germany’s Andrea Eskau (49:11.5) added her first biathlon victory and fourth win overall to her haul in Western Center, having swept the women’s cross-country sitting. Belarus’ Lidziya Hrafeyeva (52:19.7) was second and German Anja Wicker (52:30.0) third.

Norway’s Trygve Steinar Larsen (48:33.8) emerged as the winner for the first time this season in the men’s sitting. Belarus’ overall rankings leader Dzmitry Loban (49:31.0) and Ukraine’s Taras Rad (49:41.7) completed the podium.

Full results are available at www.worldparanodicskiing.org.

The World Cup biathlon events will continue with the sprint and the middle distance events on 19 and 20 January, respectively.

This is the last major event before the 2017 World Para Nordic Skiing Championships, which will be held in Finsterau, Germany, from 10-19 February, and will feature around 135 athletes from 25 countries.

Full results are available at www.worldparanodicskiing.org.

The World Cup biathlon events will continue with the sprint and the middle distance events on 19 and 20 January, respectively.

This is the last major event before the 2017 World Para Nordic Skiing Championships, which will be held in Finsterau, Germany, from 10-19 February, and will feature around 135 athletes from 25 countries.

Live results and a live stream are available on World Para Nordic Skiing’s website.