March 17, 2007 (Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia) – For the first time since 1999, a German man has captured the men’s Overall World Cup title. Michael Greis is bringing home the crystal globe, despite finishing behind Norway’s Ole Einar Bjoerndalen in the men’s pursuit race, Saturday, in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia. Greis secured enough points with his 16th-place finish Saturday, to take the coveted title.

Russia’s Maxim Tchoudov captured his first victory of the season, in a tight three-way battle between Bjoern Ferry, of Sweden and Norway’s Stian Eckhoff. When the dust settled, Tchoudov had managed to sneak in 0.6 seconds ahead of Ferry, with a time of 36 minutes 54.43 seconds. Eckhoff came away with the bronze, +2.1 behind.

Ottawa’s Robin Clegg was the only Canadian who took to the snow Saturday. The 29-year-old had a disastrous day on the range, posting eight shooting errors, and crossed the line +8:01.3 off the winning pace. The performance left Clegg in 59th-place, unable to make up any time against his competitors. This is Clegg’s final World Cup race of the season, and he will now return to Canadian soil for the National Championships in Charlo, New Brunswick, March 19-25.

Red Deer, Alta. native, Zina Kocher, who finished 49th in the sprint, did not start the women’s pursuit race Saturday. Kocher still retains her top-30 points status and has an entry in Sunday’s mass start.

Germany’s Magdalena Neuner continued her winning streak, taking the women’s pursuit race in a time of 34:18.72. Sweden’s Anna Carin Olofsson and Germany’s Andrea Henkel battled it out for the silver medal, with Olofsson edging out Henkel by a mere 0.2 seconds. Another German, Kati Wilhelm, took the pursuit title, albeit by the smallest margin possible, of only one point over Neuner. The women’s Overall World Cup title will be announced after Sunday’s mass start.

For full results please visit www.biathlonworld.com.