January 14, 2010 (Ruhpolding, Germany) – Anna Carin Oloffson-Zidek (SWE) and Olga Medvetseva (RUS) both shot a perfect 10 for 10, but Oloffson out-skied the Russian by 29.9 seconds to win the IBU World Cup Women’s 7.5km Sprint on Wednesday, in Ruhpolding, GER. The crowd favorite, Magdalena Neuner (GER) was third, having led until she missed two shots standing, to finish 40.6 seconds back.

It was an almost perfect evening for shooting, as the event was held beneath the lights, with over 15,500 fans turning out to cheer for the women in the intimate Ruhpolding stadium. Just two of the top 50 had more than two penalties, emphasizing how important it was for Oloffson to shoot well, and ski fast to take the win.

Both Canada and the USA fielded full teams. Leading the way was Zina Kocher (CAN) in 30th while Haley Johnson (USA) placed 56th. Newly named to Canada’s Olympic team, Rosanna Crawford missed just one shot to place 77th. The USA’s Sara Studebaker was 88th; Lanny Barnes (USA) was 93rd, Megan Imrie (CAN) 94th and Laura Spector (USA) was 101st.
Friday is the women’s 4x6km Relay and the US and Canada will each be fielding a team of four.

Women’s full results here.

Results (brief)
1. Anna Carin Olofsson-Zidek (SWE), 0+0 / T-0, 23:49.6
2. Olga Medvedtseva (RUS) 0+0 / T-0, 24:19.4
3. Magdalena Neuner (Ger) 0+2 / T-2, 24:30.2
4. Darya Domracheva (BLR) 1+0 / T-1, 24:35.7
5. Anna Boulygina (RUS) 0+1 / T – 1, 24:37.2

30. Zina Kocher (CAN) 0+2 / T-2, 25:59.0
56. Haley Johnson (USA) 0+1 / T-1, 26:42.7
77. Rosanna Crawford (CAN) 1+0 / T-1, 27:27.7
88. Sara Studebaker (USA) 1+2 / T-3, 27:53.0
93. Lanny Barnes (USA) 0+1 / T-1, 28:15.1
94. Megan Imrie (CAN) 2+3 / T-5, 28:17.9
101. Laura Spector (USA) 3+1 / T-4, 28:39.9