December 15, 2013 (Annecy-Le Grand Bornand, France) – Canada’s Rosanna Crawford had another strong day in France placing 19th with three penalties in the women’s 10km pursuit won by Valj Semerenko (UKR) who claimed her first IBU World Cup victory in 28:05.4 (1 penalty).

Russia’s Irina Starykh, who shot clean, made a bid for the win but could not match Semerenko finishing 4.2s back. Norway’s Tiril Eckhoff battled with Gabriela Soukalova (CZE) for third and prevailed for her first career podium suffering one penalty at 15.5s behind as Soukalova the WCup leader settled for 4th.

Megan Heinicke was 33rd (2 penalties) while Megan Imrie was 41st (4 penalties) as Zina Kocher finished 52nd (7 penalties) followed by the USA’s Susan Dunklee in 53rd (5 penalties).

Conditions were near perfect as three in the top ten shot clean and four had one penalty. Semerenko commented on her win to Biathlonworld.com saying, “I did not expect such success here in France…it is a nice New year present to myself. I am happy to win, especially after such a battle with a great competitor like Irina on the last lap… It is just starting to sink in now.

“During zeroing, the coaches told me not to look at anyone else, just concentrate on my shooting. I did not know what Soukalova or Starykh were doing in that final shooting stage.”

Full results here.