Russia continue to dominate Nordic World Cup

In the women’s sitting, the USA’s Sochi 2014 Paralympic silver medallist Oksana Masters (37:48.9) was the only non-Russian to finish on the top of the podium.

Russia continued their dominance in Finsterau, Germany, on Thursday (25 February) with a sweep of wins in the long distance cross-country classic at the IPC Biathlon and Cross-Country Skiing World Cup.

Highlighting the competition even within the Russian camp, Ivan Golubkov (40:02.1) claimed victory over his freestyle world champion teammate Aleksandr Davidovich (41:37.1) in the men’s sitting.

Leading throughout the race, Golubkov’s victory is his second World Cup long distance win of the season.

Ukraine’s Maksim Yarovyi (41:38.2) was third.

In the women’s sitting, the USA’s Sochi 2014 Paralympic silver medallist Oksana Masters (37:48.9) was the only non-Russian to finish on the top of the podium.

Masters performance strengthens her lead in the overall World Cup rankings with the sprint still to take place on Saturday (27 February).

Russian teammates Nadezdha Fedorova (38:36.7) and Irina Guliaeva (38:44.8) were second and third respectively.

In the men’s visually impaired, World Championships bronze medallist Stanislav Chokhlaev (50:15.6), guided by Oleg Kolodiichuk, continued his unbeaten run.

Compatriot Alexsander Artemov (51:24.6) was second with guide Ilya Cherepanov. There were encouraging signs for Ukraine as 19-year-old Dmytro Suiarko (51:55.6), guided by Ivan Marchyshak, stepped onto his first World Cup podium in third.

Sochi 2014 silver medallist Mikhalina Lysova (48:03.5), guided by Alexey Ivanov, was triumphant in the women’s visually impaired over Paralympic champion teammate Elena Remizova (48:14.0) and guide Maksim Pirogov in second.

Paralympic title holder Rushan Minnegulov (47:55.5) was true to form in the men’s standing, claiming the win.

Ukrainians Ihor Reptyukh (48:27.3) and Grygorii Vovchynskyi (49:03.2) were second and third respectively.

Paralympic bronze medallist Anna Milenina (47:23.6) concluded the 100 per cent record for Russia in the women’s standing, coming back from second after 9km to secure victory.

Ukraine’s world champion Oleksandra Kononova (47:49.4) was overtaken by Milenina, but held onto second. Ekaterina Rumyantseva (50:18.5) was third, bringing Russia’s podium finishes to 11 for the day.

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

Racing continues in Finsterau on Friday (26 February) with individual biathlon.