January 22, 2010 (Antholz, ITA) – It was Magdalena Neuner (GER) again taking the IBU World Cup women’s 7.5km sprint in Antholz on Friday, her second victory of the week and 15th of her career. Despite one penalty, she finished ahead of her clean-shooting teammate, Andrea Henkel. France’s Sandrine Bailly shot clean, and joined them on the podium in third – the first French woman on the podium this winter. Norway’s Ann Kristin Flatland snuck into fourth, just 1.3 seconds ahead of Germany’s Tina Bachmann.

Canada’s Zina Kocher overcame a stumble in her second lap to finish 15th. The 27-year-old combined strong skiing with a nearly perfect day on the range where she missed just one shot to clock a time of 21:34.3. “I was extremely frustrated with my shooting performance in the individual competition, and was very focused on turning it around today,” said Kocher, of Red Deer, Alta. “I have really been able to take what I accomplish in training and let it happen with confidence in a race.”

Kocher’s trip on the second lap going into the final uphill before the range, which cost her nearly 20 seconds, and a spot in the top-10. “That was extremely frustrating as it was completely out of my control, and cost me a lot of time,” said Kocher. “But, I am satisfied that I regained my composure and focus for the standing and cleaned this bout.”

For the USA, Haley Johnson continued to lead her team with 59th place. Sara Studebaker (62nd) and Lanny Barnes (76th) and Laura Spector (84th) completed the US women’s results. Rosanna Crawford (sister of XC Sprint star Chandra Crawford) placed 69th, shooting 7/10 and finishing +3:23.6. Team mate Melanie Schultz shot 6/10 to finish 97th.

The women compete again at Anterselva on Sunday, when they will contest the Pursuit with start times based on today’s sprint results.

Women’s Results here.

Results (brief)
1. Magdalena Neuner (GER) 0+1/ T1, 20:19.7
2. Andrea Henkel (GER) 0+0 / T0, +13.2
3. Sandrine Bailly (FRA) 0+0 / T0, +28.6
4. Ann Kristin Flatland (NOR) 0+1 / T1, +44.2
5. Tina Bachmann (GER) 0+2 / T2, +45.5

15. Zina Kocher (Can) 1+0/ T1 +1:14.6
59. Haley Johnson (USA) 1+2 / T3, +2:57.8
62. Sara Studebaker (USA) 1+2 / T3, +3:05.6
69. Rosanna Crawford (CAN) 2+1 / T3, 3:23.6
76. Lanny Barnes (USA) 1+1 / T2, 3:57.8
84. Laura Spector (USA) 3+1 / T4, 4:35.9
97. Melanie Schultz (CAN) 3+1/ T4, 5:23.9