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Russia claim double cross-country relay World Cup win
Paralympic champions retain their form in the mixed and open event. 23 Feb 2016
Mikhalina Lysova from Russia competes with her guide in the in women's 15km classic - visually impared race at the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games
The Russian cross-country skiing relay teams claimed victory in both the mixed and open races at the IPC Biathlon and Cross-Country Skiing World Cup in Finsterau, Germany, on Tuesday (23 February).
Paralympic champions Russia even took the first two places on the podium in the 4x2.5km mixed relay, with their first and second teams finishing within seconds of each other.
However it was sit-skier Nadezhda Fedorova, standing skier Anna Milenina and the visually impaired duo of Mikhalina Lysova and Nikolay Polukhin who claimed the win in rainy conditions.
Fedorova got the race underway for the Russians, followed by Milenina, who took the lead. It was then up to Lysova, guided by Alexey Ivanov, to keep the momentum going.
Multiple world champion Polukhin, guided by Andrey Tokarev, crossed the line in first for the Russians who had a total time of 30:45.9.
Their teammates Irina Gulieava and Aleksandr Davidovich, both sit-skiers, contributed to another podium place for Russia. They were joined by Elena Remizova with guide Natalia Yakimova, and Stanislav Chokhlaev guided by Oleg Kolodiichuk, for a combined time of 30:49.7.
Ukraine (31.31.4) completed the podium with Iurii Utkin, guided by Ruslan Perekhoda and standing skiers Liudmyla Liashenko and Oleksandra Kononova. Kononova completed two legs.
Paralympic champions Russia also claimed first place in the 4x2.5km open relay having come from behind.
Six-time Paralympic champion sit-skier Roman Petushkov led his team out but they only placed fifth after his leg.
Standing skiers Vladislav Lekomtsev and Ivan Kodlozerov moved the team up to fourth place before Rushan Minnegulov put in an astonishing run to propel them into first. Russia’s combined winning time was 28:18.8.
Ukraine (28:29.1) were second with Iaroslav Reshetynskiy, guided by Artur Gergardt, and Anatolli Kovalevskyi and guide Oleksandr Mukshyn, standing skier Ihor Reptyukh and sit-skier Maksim Yarovyi.
France’s standing skier Benjamin Daviet skied two legs to help his team to third alongside Anthony Chalencon and guide Lucas Duperrex, and Thomas Clarion, guided by Antoine Bollet. Their time was 28:39.3.
Full results are available at the IPC Nordic Skiing website.
Due to weather conditions, the long distance cross-country has been moved to Thursday (25 February). Wednesday (24 February) will now only feature official training.
