January 24, 2016 (Antholz-Anterselma, Italy) – The U.S. Biathlon men’s relay squad of Lowell Bailey, Tim Burke, Leif Nordgren and Sean Doherty claimed another strong sixth place finish, with one penalty and 13 spare rounds, in the men’s 4×7.5km relay as the BMW IBU World Cup 6 came to a close in sunny Antholz-Anterselma, Italy.

Russia wins over Germany ©

Team Canada’s Christian Gow, Nathan Smith, Macx Davies, and Scott Gow finished 11th using 8 spares as Russia emerged as the victors using 7 spares ahead of Germany at 1s back with one penalty and four spare rounds. Third went to Norway who were leading until the final standing but needed two spares and finished at 22.9 behind.

“Another solid performance from our team,” said Bailey. “We were right in it until the end, and that’s where you need to be to get on the podium.”

The race was far from smooth sailing for many teams with ups and downs. Bailey kicked off the race with a strong first lap, even taking the lead at one point near the top of the course. Bailey used two spares in prone but Canada’s Christian Gow cleaned and was suddenly in the lead with Bailey 15th after the first shooting session.

Tim Burke (USA) © Nordic Focus

But by the first exchange Germany was leading Slovenia as the USA had recovered to 7th. Burke took over from Bailey while Canada’s Smith was struggling to get back in the game from 16th. Burke needed two spares in prone and three in standing during the second leg but kept the U.S. close as he handed off the reins to Nordgren in ninth as sharp-shooting Smith cleaned all targets and brought Canada back to 11th. Meanwhile Germany faltered as Italy and Russia were now in charge.

“Today proved that last week was not a fluke,” Burke commented. “We are happy to be right in the mix with the ‘big’ biathlon nations but we still know that we are capable of more.”

Smith put Canada back in contention © Nordic Focus

Nordgren took over eighth place on course heading into prone and ended up tied for fifth after a clean round. Needing two spares in standing, he made the exchange with Doherty in sixth place, only five seconds back of fifth. Canada’s Davies was also doing well until he needed three spares in his final standing session.

“Good race again today, but far from perfect,” said Nordgren. “We have more potential still so we’re looking forward to the next relays.” By the final exchange Norway surged to the front as Italy lost ground and now Russia’s Anton Shipulin was now in a battle with Germany’s Simon Schempp for the silver.

Sean Doherty ©

Doherty cleaned prone and arrived for the final shooting stage in fifth place, but hit only three of five from the clip in standing and needed a penalty loop before bringing it home in sixth place, just 4.4 seconds behind fifth-place France. Canada’s Scott Gow also used three spares and battled to finish 11th on the day. Norway’s Erlend Bjoentegaard missed the mark in the final standing as Shipulin took the lead and held it to the end despite a brave challenge by Schempp.

“I am happy with another strong result,” said Doherty made up 10 seconds on the final lap with his strong skiing. “We were in the mix the whole time and even though I did not shoot my best the team did well. We are all looking forward to the next relay.”

Full results here.