Chokhlaev, Murygin, Lekomtsev lead biathlon rankings

However as the final World Cup races in Vuokatti, Finland, from 15-20 March approach, skiers are closely matched in the rankings across the men’s and women’s events.

The Russian trio of Stanislav Chokhlaev, Vladislav Lekomtsev and Grigory Murygin lead the way in the points standings after wins at the penultimate IPC Biathlon World Cup in Finsterau, Germany, on Sunday (28 February).

On the concluding day of racing, all three athletes secured victory in their classifications in the middle distance biathlon.

However as the final World Cup races in Vuokatti, Finland, from 15-20 March approach, skiers are closely matched in the rankings across the men’s and women’s events.

Putting himself in the best position to take the overall men’s visually impaired title was Chokhlaev (33:44.6), guided by Oleg Kolodiichuk.

The 26-year-old shot clean to claim the win over world champion teammate Nikolay Polukhin (34:39.5) and guide Andrey Tokarev. Polukhin trails Chokhlaev by just 50 points in the rankings.

Ukraine’s Oleksandr Kazik (36:22.5) was also a clean hitter to secure third with guide Sergey Kucheryaviy.

In the women’s visually impaired, Ukraine’s Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games bronze medallist Oksana Shyshkova (32:40.9) was triumphant over Russia’s Paralympic gold medallist Mikhalina Lysova (33:58.3).

Shyshkova, guided by Vitalii Kazakov, shot clean to finish ahead of World Cup points leader Lysova and guide Alexey Ivanov.

Russia’s Elena Remizova (35:48.0) was third with guide Maksim Pirogov.

Men’s sitting world champion Murygin (36:38.3) led Paralympic title holder teammate Roman Petushkov (37:29.4) into second in their race.

Murygin now enjoys a slender lead of just 25 points heading to Vuokatti. Germany’s Martin Fleig (38:35.3), who added to his points haul with third, is second on the leader board.

Russia’s Svetlana Konovalova (35.51.7) was the victor in the women’s sitting despite dropping two shots. Anja Wicker (35:53.9) doubled-up on her podium finishes from the week for Germany in second.

The USA’s Oksana Masters (36:06.0) completed the podium.

In the men’s standing, world champion Lekomtsev (31:34.1) was the only man to shoot clean to open up his lead at the top of the table. France’s Benjamin Daviet (32:24.5) was second, also holding onto Lekomtsev in the rankings just 44 points behind.

Russia’s Aleksander Pronkov (33:17.6) was third.

Ukraine’s world title holder Oleksandra Kononova (30:50.5) enjoyed the top step of the podium for the second time in Finsterau, having collected the sprint win on Monday (22 February).

Russia’s Anna Milenina (31:42.4), the World Cup leader, was second, followed by Kononova’s compatriot Liudmyla Liashenko (32:26.1).

Full results and current rankings can be found at IPC Biathlon and Cross-Country Skiing's website.