December 3, 2009 (Östersund, SWE) – We’ve just received word from Ian Harvey at Toko that the USA’s Tim Burke placed 2nd in the men’s 20km Individual race that started earlier on Thursday at 11:10 am EST in Östersund, SWE as the Biathlon World Cup gets underway. Emil Hegle Svendsen (NOR) won. Canada’s Jean-Philippe Le Guellec was 10th.

This is an incredible breakthrough result for Burke who said he was feeling good prior to the season start – read his latest blog HERE.

“Burke was leading the race by three seconds after the third stage, but missed a target on his fourth which left him in 2nd place after his last shooting stage. Svendsen (NOR) was comfortably in first, but there were some six skiers within 20 seconds of Tim, the closest of which was Maxim Tchudov (RUS),” said Harvey.

“Burke ended up skiing a spectacular last loop and even built on his lead over 3rd place. This was his best finish ever at a World Cup. Today was an Invididual 20km where each shot missed gives the athlete a 1-minute penalty. On Saturday (Dec. 5) the men and women have sprint races where targets missed require penalty loops. On Sunday both men and women have relays.”

“That is the best finish ever by an American biathlete at a World Cup. Josh Thompson finished 2nd at the 1987 Biathlon World Championships in Lake Placid, but that was not a World Cup event,” added Harvey.

Full results here.

Results (brief)
1. Emil Hegle Svendsen, NOR, (0+1+0+0), 52:43.7
2. Tim Burke, Paul Smiths, NY, (0+0+0+1), 53:19.2
3. Christoph Sumann, AUT, (0+0+0+1, 53:33.2

10. Jean-Philippe Le Guellec, Shannon, Que., (0+1+0+1), 54:50.3
28. Jay Hakkinen, Kasilof, Alaska, (2+0+1+0), 56:16.7
69. Kevin Patzoldt, Grand Rapids, MN, (0+0+0+0), 58:6.3
84. Brendan Green, Hay River, N.W.T., (1+1+1+2), 59:34.7
88. Jeremy Teela, Heber City, Utah, (1+1+0+3), 59:54.1
90. Jaime Robb, Edmonton, (1+2+1+1), 1:00:00.0
105. Robin Clegg, Ottawa, (2+2+0+2), 1:02:00.1

Note: Lowell Baliey (Lake Placid, NY) did not race due to health reasons.