January 22, 2016 (Antholz-Anterselma, Italy) – Rosanna Crawford (CAN) was the top North American in 33rd with one penalty in the women’s 7.5km sprint at the BMW IBU World Cup 6 in picturesque Antholz-Anterselma, Italy. Just behind in 37th was Susan Dunklee, the top U.S. finisher with two missed targets.

Rosanna Crawford © Nordic Focus file photo

Dunklee got off to a fast start on her skis as she was the quickest of the first six starters out on the course. However, a miss in her first shot in prone put her 26 seconds behind the leader, and another miss in standing knocked her back further. Her final time of 22:32.0 was 37th-best and qualified her for Saturday’s 10km pursuit.

Susan Dunklee (USA) © Nordic Focus

“Some day are ‘sharp’ days when your body will do whatever you ask of it,” Dunklee said. “Other days are ‘flat’ days where no matter how much you will it, your body struggles to respond. Today was very much a ‘flat’ day for me. I love racing in Antholz and have traditionally done very well here, so I’m hoping to turn things around in the pursuit.”

Three misses apiece on the range for Clare Egan (Cape Elizabeth, Maine), Joanne Reid (Boulder, Colo.) and Annelies Cook (Saranac Lake, N.Y.) knocked them out of the running for Saturday’s pursuit race. Egan finished 67th (23:33.7), Reid was 74th (23:53.0) and Cook was right behind her with a nearly identical time (23:53.3).

The Canadian team had an equally challenging day, with Julia Ransom (CAN) in 45th, Zina Kocher (CAN) 66th, and Megan Tandy (CAN) 72nd.

Olga Podchufarova of Russia shot clean to claim the first World Cup victory of her career, winning the Antholz sprint in 21:01.9. Second place went to the local hero, Dorothea Wierer of Italy, despite a penalty in standing. Wierer finished eight seconds back of Podchufarova. Russia’s Ekaterina Yurlova-Percht finished third, also shooting clean, 22.1 seconds behind.

Results

1. Olga Podchufarova (RUS) 21:01.9/+0
2. Dorothea Wierer (ITA) 21:09.9/+1
3. Ekaterina Yurlova-Percht (RUS) 21:24.0/+0

33. Rosanna Crawford (CAN) 22:26.5/+1
37. Susan Dunklee (USA) 22:32.0/+2
46. Julia Ransom (CAN) 22:49.1/+1
66. Zina Kocher (CAN) 23:31.8/+3
67. Clare Egan (USA) 23:33.7/+3
72. Megan Tandy (CAN) 3:51.0/+3
74. Joanne Reid (USA) 23:53.0/+3
75. Annelies Cook (USA) 23:53.3/+3

Full results here.