February 14, 2014 (Sochi, Russia) – Darya Domracheva (BLR) captured her second biathlon gold of the 2014 Sochi Games when she won today’s 15km event, only days after her victory in the 10km pursuit. The Belorussian logged only one penalty to win by a margin of 1:15.7 over of Selina Gasparin (SUI) and 1:38.2 ahead of Nadezhda Skardino (BLR). The silver and bronze medalists both shot clean, but were unable to match Domracheva’s speed.

Hannah Dreissigacker (USA) was the top North American in 23rd, followed by Canuck Meghan Imrie (CAN) in 30th. Susan Dunklee (USA) finished 34th, Megan Heinicke (CAN) 51st, Sara Studebaker (USA) 55th, Zina Kocher (CAN) 63rd, Lanny Barnes (USA) 64th, and Rosanna Crawford (CAN) 67th.

Coming off a strong performance with just two penalties, Dreissigacker was satisfied with her race. “I’ve had a really up and down year,’ she said. “I’ve had some really good relay races, but I haven’t had an individual race come together. I’ve been waiting for that to happen. I’ve been working on the mental piece and that really worked today.”

Conditions were warm and windless on race evening as Domracheva led on the first loop after shooting a clean round. But the race would prove increasingly entertaining as Anastasiya Kuzmina (SVK) and Kaisa Makarainnen (FIN) took the lead after the first stage.

Then it was Russian favourite Olga Zaitseva’s (RUS) chance in the spotlight as she shot clean in the second stage. However, the advantage changed again, as Veronika Vitkova (CZE) and Gasparin overtook the Russian.The first standing stage posed the only problem for Domracheva, who received a one-minute penaty for a miss. It was Domracheva’s blistering pace on the snow that proved her golden ticket on the day.

Final podium (l-r) Gasparin 2nd, Domracheva 1st, Skardino 3rd [P] Nordic Focus