March 19, 2009 (Trondheim, Norway) – The USA’s Tim Burke has placed 9th at Trondheim, Norway in the men’s 10km Biathlon World Cup sprint. The 9th place, with one penalty was Burke’s best result of the season, topping his 11th place in the same competition at the Biathlon Worlds last month. With Lowell Bailey in 20th and shooting clean today the duo recorded the best two US results in the same competition this season. Burke finished 57.5 seconds behind Michael Greis of Germany, who won in 26:11.3. Bailey was 1:17.6 back.

At the finish line, Burke commented, “I just relaxed out there today and it happened.” Regarding Burke’s season best, US Coach Per Nilsson commented after Burke cleaned the standing stage, despite two split bullets, “It is about time we got a break. The targets went down with splits today. That is just enough luck for Tim to make a great race for him.”

Canada’s Zina Kocher recorded one of her best ever World Cup results in the women’s 7.5km sprint placing 20th. Kocher had one miss and finished about 1:15 back from race winner Olga Zaitseva of Russia who won in a time of 22:56.9.

Complete men’s results here
Complete women’s results here

Results (brief)

Men
1. Michael Greis (Ger) 26:11.3
2. Ole Einar Bjoerndalen (Nor) + 18.3
3. Eder Simon (Aut) + 31.8

9. Tim Burke (USA) + 57.5
20. Lowell Bailey (USA) + 1:17.6
46. Marc-Andre Bedard (Can) + 2:16.1
47. Jean Philippe Leguelle (Can) + 2:17.5
56. Jeremy Teela (USA) + 2:37.4
63. Brendan Green (Can) + 2:45.4
84. Jay Hakkinen (USA) + 3:39.9
91. Scott Perras (Can) + 4:38.1


Women
1. Olga Zaitseva (Rus) 22:56.9
2. Helena Jonsson (Swe) + 5.5
3. Sylvie Becaert (Fra) + 11.1

20. Zina Kocher (Can) +1:15.7
62. Megan Imrie (Can) + 3:11.2
63. Haley Johnson (USA) +3:11.3
71. Sandra Keith (Can) + 3:42.6