Double podium for hosts Germany at biathlon World Cup

Despite dropping two shots Fleig finished ahead of the USA’s Andrew Soule (26:55.3), who himself continues his good form in the series.

Germany’s Martin Fleig and Vivian Hosch made a dream start to their home IPC Biathlon World Cup on Monday (22 February), making it onto the sprint podium in Finsterau.

Russia’s Ivan Golubkov (26:10.4) led Fleig (26:13.8) into second in the men’s sitting, but the German retains his place above Golubkov in the overall rankings with two more biathlon races still to come.

Despite dropping two shots Fleig finished ahead of the USA’s Andrew Soule (26:55.3), who himself continues his good form in the series.

Russia’s Irina Guliaeva (24:05.7) took on the warm temperatures and soft snow to take the win in the women’s sitting.

The victory is Guliaeva’s second in the World Cup after she took up the sport in 2014, with her first coming in December 2015 in Tyumen, Russia.

The USA’s Oksana Masters, a Paralympic cross-country skiing medallist, also enjoyed an improved performance in biathlon. Masters (24:41.3) took second ahead of Russia’s Nadezhda Fedorova (25.12.5) in third.

In the women’s visually impaired Ukraine’s Oksana Shyshkova (24:14.1) dominated the field, shooting clean to secure first place with guide Vitalii Kazakov. Her teammate Olga Prylutska (24:57.9) was second, guided by Borys Babar.

Hosch (26:17.3) claimed a podium for Germany in third with guide Florian Schillinger.

Russia’s Stanislav Chokhlaev (24:34.1) led the men’s visually impaired with guide Oleg Kolodiichuk, securing victory over multiple world champion teammate Nikolay Polukhin (25:57.9), guided by Andrey Tokarev.

Ukraine’s Iurii Utkin (25:42.1) was third with guide Ruslan Perekhoda.

Fellow Ukrainians, Oleksandra Kononova (23:23.4) and Liudmyla Liashenko (25:14.3), were first and second respectively in the women’s standing.

Russia’s current World Cup points leader Anna Milenina (27:01.7) was third.

In the men’s standing France’s Benjamin Daviet (23:47.4) was triumphant for the second time this season, and with a perfect set of hits.

Daviet followed up on his long distance win from Tyumen with a win over the Russian duo of Aleksandr Pronkov (25:35.4) in second and Vladislav Lekomtsev (26:12.3) in third.

Full results are available at IPC Biathlon and Cross-Country Skiing's website.

The World Cup continues in Finsterau on Tuesday (23 February) with the mixed cross-country relay.