February 19, 2017 (Hochfilzen, AUT) – Team USA put on a solid showing with a 7-place finish in the men’s relay team 4×7.5-kilometer race at the IBU World Championships in Hochfilzen as Russia stormed to victory with a brilliant anchor leg by Anton Shipulin.

France claimed silver while Austria’s Dominik Landertinger found something special in the last kilometer to bury Germany’s Simon Schempp for the bronze. Team Canada finished in 13th.

Lowell Bailey, fresh off his historic world championship victory in Thursday’s 20km individual race, needed just one spare as he tagged Leif Nordgren in fourth. Nordgren also used one spare and exchanged with Tim Burke in sixth. Using four spares he made the final exchange with Sean Doherty in seventh which he maintained until the finish.

“We had a great team performance and I’m proud of what we did,” said Bailey. “Seventh place, and in the mix at the top of the field for most of the race.”

Canada’s Christian and Scott Gow, Macx Davies, and Brendan Green used 10 spares en route to 15th. “As a team we were hoping for more in our relay today. We all raced consistently well, but at the end of the day it just wasn’t quite enough,” said Green, who skied the anchor leg.

On the final leg Shipulin cleaned fast to take the lead as did Fourcade who went out 8.9 seconds back. Landertinger and Schempp both used spares. Shipulin continued to pull away and came to the standing stage with a 12-second lead. He used a spare while Fourcade rapid-fired and left 4.2 seconds back.

Landertinger and Schempp left together, 20 seconds back, fighting for the bronze medal. Shipulin increased his lead to 8.9 seconds with 1,100 meters to go, while Landertinger and Schempp continued to battle with the Austrian pulling away on the final big climb.

Shipulin was exhausted but won comfortably. He thanked the team for the effort today. “I want to thank my team, my country and everyone for their support today. Everyone did a great job to help us win this Gold medal.”

Landertinger shared his experience on the last loop, “It was very difficult, as Simon is a very good anchor. When I left the range and I saw him 4 – 5 meters behind, I knew it would be a tough battle. The last hundred meters were the toughest for me and it was the nicest feeling when I realized the medal was secured.”

Results here.