March 09, 2011 (Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia) – Helena Ekholm was the only racer to shoot clean in the women’s 15km Individual at the IBU Worlds in Khanty-Mansiysk on Wednesday, claiming the gold in a time of 47:08.3. Ekholm’s time put her an astounding 2:15.8 ahead of Silver medalist Tina Bachman of Germany, propelling her to a share of the yellow bib with Kaisa Mäkäräinen.

“I was quite nervous on the shooting range, because when the wind comes and goes, even if it is not there right now, you get prepared for it and tense up,” Ekholm remarked about the conditions according to an IBU report, “So I tried not to rush the shots away.”

Bachman took silver with just her second podium finish of her career, the first coming in the 2008/2009 season at very same venue. Bachman hit 18 of her 20 targets to finish with a time of 49:24.1.

“The race today and two years ago, I had no pressure. That made me a little bit relaxed and so I was able to make a good race,” Bachman said.

Rounding out the podium was first time Worlds medalist Vita Semerenko of Ukraine. Semerenko, who was not slated to start until earlier in the day, missed three shots to finish in a time of 50:00.4.

“I was nervous before the start, watching everyone. I do not like to start so late (#82). Then coming into the final standing stage, I was thinking about the podium,” said Semerenko, “I knew I had to shoot well. Missing those two shots was very disappointing, but it all worked out.”

Sara Studebaker of the United States continued her breakout season with a 17th place finish. The result ties the second best finish her career after her 14th place effort at this year’s Presque Isle World Cup. Studebaker missed two shots for a time of 52:37.8. Laura Spector finished 44th after a 6-miss race that gave her a time of 56:19.2. Annalies Cook came in 67th, missing seven targets to finish in a time of 58:59.2, while Haley Johnson followed close behind, placing 68th after an 8-miss performance.

“I was really happy to have such a good day in these conditions. I focused on making each shot good, so I took a lot of time in the range to wait for the wind, but in the end it was worth it,” said Studebaker in a US Biathlon report, “My skiing was ok – it definitely took me a couple loops to really find my stride, but then I was able to pick things up and have a great finish.”

Canada’s lone racer, Zina Kocher, finished 43rd, hitting 13 of 20 targets to finish with a time of 56:11.0.

Results HERE.

Results (Brief)

1. Helena Ekholm, SWE (0+0+0+0) 47:08.3
2. Tina Bachmann, GER (0+2+0+0) 49:24.1
3. Vita Semerenko, UKR (1+0+0+2) 50:00.4

17. Sara Studebaker, USA (0+1+0+1) 52:37.8
43. Zina Kocher, CAN (2+3+0+2) 56:11.0
44. Laura Spector, USA (1+2+1+2) 56:19.2
67. Annalies Cook, USA (0+3+1+3) 58:59.2
68. Haley Johnson, USA (1+3+1+3) 59:02.5