November 29, 2013 (Ostersund, Sweden) – Team USA’s Susan Dunklee from Barton, VT, was the top North American placing 16th with one penalty in standing in the women’s 7.5km sprint today at round #1 of the IBU World Cup in Ostersund, Sweden. Dunklee cleaned prone and led in the early stages of the race, as Ann Kristin Aafedt Flatland (NOR) won with clean shooting and a time of 20:41.2. Russia’s Olga Zaitseva also shot clean to claim second with last year’s overall series winner Tora Berger (NOR) finishing third with one penalty.

Susan Dunklee races to a 16th place finish in today's 7.5-kilometer sprint at World Cup 1 in Ostersund © US Biathlon/NordicFocus

“Putting both the shooting and skiing pieces together today is a great confidence booster for me,” said Dunklee. “I can’t wait for the 10km pursuit this weekend. The times were close so there will be lots of great athletes to ski around.”

Canada’s Megan Imrie from Falcon Lake, Man., was just behind in 22nd with one penalty followed by Canmore’s Rosanna Crawford in 50th and Annelies Cook from Saranac Lake, NY in 55th with two penalties in standing. Canada’s Megan Heinicke with three penalties was 56th with teammate Zina Kocher in 64th and four penalties, while Boise, Idaho’s Sara Studebaker suffered two penalties to finish 71st. Hannah Dreissigacker from Morrisville, VT placed 93rd with five penalties.

Racing resumes in Ostersund tomorrow with the men’s 10km sprint beginning at 9:15am (ET). Live stream coverage will be available here.

Full results here.

With files from US Biathlon