February 17, 2014 (Sochi, Russia) – The heavy fog that caused the men’s mass start event to be postponed until Feb. 18, finally lifted in the afternoon just in time for Darya Domracheva (BLR) to score her third gold of the Games in today’s 12.5km Mass Start women’s biathlon event. In doing so the Belarus star made history as the first woman to win three individual gold medals at a single Winter Olympics.

Darya Domracheva (BLR) © Nordic Focus

Gabriela Soukalova (CZE) secured the silver medal, while Norway’s Tiril Eckhoff (NOR) made a move from behind to take home the bronze.

The USA’s Susan Dunklee (USA) was the top North American, with a historic 12th place – the top individual finish for a U.S. woman in Olympic competition. Canada’s Megan Imrie finished 28th with five penalties.

Dunklee’s time of 36:57.9, with three penalties, was the sixth fastest skiing time in the field of 30 competitors. The race also marked the first time a U.S. woman has qualified for an Olympic mass start.

Susan Dunklee (USA) © Nordic Focus

“Tonight was my first mass start qualification in two years, so I was really excited to even be in the running,” said Dunklee. “My ski speed has been so strong this week, I felt really confident going into the starting loop.

“I’ve had some of my best results of the season this past week. It’s definitely not as high as it could have been. I think I realized I was seriously in contention in a few of those races, and that’s a cool thing to know,” she added.

Previously, Joan Smith had the top finish for Team USA’s women in Olympic competition with a 14th in the 15km at the 1994 Olympic Winter Games in Lillehammer, Norway.

Ekhoff (l) bests Sachenbacher © Nordic Focus

On the first lap, the pack all hit the first prone stage together, with Anastasiya Kuzmina (SVK) leaving the range just ahead of a slower, but clean-shooting Domracheva, who quickly gained control of the race. With her fast skiing and deliberate shooting, Domracheva’s gap grew steadily. By the second prone stage, the Belorussian was 10s ahead of Soukalova. Both shot clean, as well as Evi Sachenbacher-Stehle (GER), who trailed in third by 13.9s.

By the next loop, Domracheva bolstered her advantage to 18.7s and shot clean in the first standing stage. Soukalova and Sachenbacher-Stehle also shot well and maintained their second and third place positions, with Norway’s Eckhoff trailing in fourth.

Darya Domracheva (BLR) on her way to gold © Nordic Focus

The seemingly unstoppable Domracheva led by 21.4s ahead of Soukalova going into the final standing stage, but she faltered on her fourth shot and headed for the penalty loop, with her Czech rival forced to do the same. Sachenbacher-Stehle cleaned all five shots.

Despite her miss, Domracheva maintained a comfortable 14.7s over second placed Soukalova, while the German trailed by 33s in third. Eckhoff was only five seconds behind Sachenbacher-Stehle and gaining. After the final shooting stage, the Norwegian passed the German to snatch bronze for another remarkable day at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic Games.

Results here.

Final podium (l-r) Ekhoff 3rd, Domracheva 1st, Soukalova 2nd © Nordic Focus