December 02, 2012 (Ostersund, SWE) – Martin Fourcade of France claimed his second victory of this World Cup season battling with Germany’s Andreas Birnbacher in the final section of the men’s 12.5km pursuit, the last event of the Ostersund World Cup weekend.

Both men had one penalty up to that point but shot clean in final standing session setting up the ultimate duel to the finish with Fourcade coming out on top. Taking 3rd at only 3 seconds back was Russia’s Anton Shipulin.

Conditions were very cold during competition with blowing wind and low temperatures. Combined with a high humidity, athletes had a difficult time keeping the feeling in their fingers.

One day removed from the race of his life, Canadian Jean-Philippe Le Guellec wore the number one start bib after his golden breakthrough in Saturday’s sprint event. “It went alright today. Obviously to start the pursuit in the lead was an incredible feeling,” said Le Guellec.

But the honeymoon for the 27-year-old from of Shannon, Que. was short-lived as he was hunted down by the world’s best on the Ostersund track and soon yielded the lead. “I think what I didn’t account for was being in the lead and skiing two laps on my own. It makes a big difference and something I was not used to doing,” he explained.

Still he remained in the top ten until the final standing session on the range missing two shots to finish 16th just behind the USA’s Tim Burke who was the top North American in 15th suffering two penalties as well at only 59 seconds behind the winner.

Burke has been sick all week and was unable to prepare properly for the race.  “I am definitely happy with the result today,” he told SkiTrax.  “I had no idea what to expect…[and] I really think my ski speed will only get better with some more races and when I get back to 100% health.”

Conditions were difficult today due to the cold temperatures and Burke found it a challenge on the range. “I struggled in the shooting range with loading because I had absolutely no feeling in my hands. This cost me some time but I was able to shoot well so I was happy with that,” added Burke.

American Lowell Bailey, as high as 7th, finished 21st with two penalties in the last standing round at the range. “I felt a lot better on the skis today and was able to push a little harder on the course,” said Bailey. “This, combined with clean shooting through the first three stages, allowed me to move up to as high as the top seven until the last standing session. I missed those first two shots and I really wish I could have that stage back, but that is biathlon!”

Other North Americans results include Canadian Scott Perras in 36th and American Leif Nordgren in 59th position.

Full results HERE.