A Ukrainian narrowly missed the top 10 – everything was going perfectly until one detail intervened
The men’s and women’s pursuit races at the final stage of the World Cup concluded in Holmenkollen, Norway. Ukrainian biathletes showcased a fierce battle for top positions.
RBC-Ukraine reports this, citing the results of the competitions.
Also read: Turbulent season finale: Ukraine’s results in the final relays of the biathlon World Cup
Thriller in the men’s pursuit: Mandzin stopped just short of the top 15
The only representative of Ukraine in the men’s race was Vitaliy Mandzin, who started in 17th place.
The start of the distance was extremely successful for the Ukrainian: thanks to impeccable shooting at the first stages, he managed to climb to 11th position and even entered the top eight.
However, one delay at the shooting range spoiled the score – a penalty loop pushed Vitaliy back.
In the final stretch of the race, Mandzin couldn’t maintain the pace of his competitors and finished in 18th place.
The fate of the gold was decided in an incredible showdown between Norwegian Sturla Laegreid and Frenchman Eric Perrot.
The athletes finished simultaneously, and only the photo finish technology awarded victory to the representative of Norway. Emilien Jacquelin claimed the bronze medal.
World Cup. Pursuit. Men:
- Sturla Laegreid (Norway, 0+0+0+0+0) 30:31.4
- Eric Perrot (France, 0+0+0+0+0) +0.0
- Emilien Jacquelin (France, 0+1+0+0+1) +1:11.2
- Martin Ponsiluoma (Sweden, 0+2+0+1) +1:25.3
- Johann-Olav Botn (Norway, 0+0+1+0) +1:34.1
- Vetle Christiansen (Norway, 2+1+0+0) +2:18.2
…
- 18. Vitaliy Mandzin (Ukraine, 0+0+0+1) +2:51.9
Women’s race: Merkusina and Dmitrenko in points
In the women’s competition, Ukraine was represented by Oleksandra Merkusina (who had the 14th starting number) and Kristina Dmitrenko.
Both athletes showed significant progress at the start of the race: Merkusina was close to the top ten, while Dmitrenko gained 15 positions after the first half of the distance.
A key moment for Oleksandra was her last visit to the shooting range. Two misses pushed her out of the top twenty, and she ultimately finished in 32nd place.
Kristina Dmitrenko, despite almost perfect accuracy (only one miss), finished the race in 44th place.
The victory was celebrated by Swedish Anna Ebergh, who narrowly defeated season leader Julia Simon by half a second in a tough battle. Elvira Ebergh completed the podium.
World Cup. Pursuit. Women:
- Hanna Ebergh (Sweden, 2+0+0+1) 30:14.0
- Julia Simon (France, 0+0+0+1) +0.5
- Elvira Ebergh (Sweden, 1+0+0+0) +23.2
- Lou Jeanmonnot (France, 1+0+0+0+0) +57.2
- Lisa Vittozzi (Italy, 2+2+1+0) +1:09.7
- Vanessa Voigt (Germany, 0+0+0+0+0) +1:12.0
…
- 32. Oleksandra Merkusina (Ukraine, 0+1+0+2) +3:09.1
- 44. Kristina Dmitrenko (Ukraine, 0+0+1+0) +4:10.4
Earlier, we reported that Ukraine surpassed its best result in the history of biathlon.
