December 17, 2016 (Nove Mesto, Czech Republic) – Following a tough start the USA’s Lowell Bailey battled back after two missed targets to a strong 9th place finish in the men’s 12.5k Pursuit on Saturday as Martin Fourcade of France dominated again despite a penalty in the second prone stage.

Bailey en route to 9th © Nordic Focus

It was the unstoppable Frenchman’s 55th World Cup victory and the massive Nove Mesto embraced him like on of their own.  Second place went to Anton Shipulin of Russia, with two penalties at 30.2 seconds back. Fourcade’s teammate, Quentin Fillon Maillet finished third with clean shooting, edging our Germany’s Simon Schempp in the final 100 meters.

Canada’s Scott Gow, who started 18th, suffered three penalties and dropped well back in the standings in 40th place. Brendan Green placed 52nd with five missed targets. Russell Currier also started the race for the U.S. team but was lapped and did not finish.

Final podium © Nordic Focus

Bailey missed his last shot in the opening prone stage and there was some confusion on the live feed as to whether he even got his last shot off as it didn’t appear on the screen. “Apparently, there was a glitch in the graphics system and the final shot didn’t register,” said Bailey. “I didn’t hear about it until after the race.”

Knocked down to 25th place, Bailey was undeterred and methodically chipped away at the racers in front of him, turning in the fifth-fastest time on the second loop to quickly move up to 19th after a clean round in second prone. “I felt good on the skis today,” Bailey added. “Our wax crew has done a phenomenal job here in Nove Mesto and I think they definitely nailed the ski prep today.”

Despite another miss in the first standing stage, Bailey continued to gain on the field ahead moving up to 16th. A clean final round put him in 11th exiting the range and then he put the throttle down with the fourth-fastest final loop of the day to cross the line ninth.

Anton Shipulin (RUS) © Nordic Focus

Up ahead Fourcade and Shipulin went stride-for-stride and shot-for-shot in the first loop, shot clean in the first prone and stayed together until the second shot in the second prone. Fourcade picked up a penalty while Shipulin cleaned but the Frenchman battled back and they were together for the first standing. The roles reversed as Shipulin had a penalty, while Fourcade cleaned and it was game over.

Fourcade easily cleaned his final five targets and pumped his fist acknowledging the crowd as he headed for the win, unchallenged. “I am just so happy because it was a hard competition against Anton; his prone shooting was really good. On skis I could catch him as I felt very good. I hope people won’t misunderstand my celebrations on the track, but often people say I don’t show emotions for my wins and today I wanted to share my happiness with this fantastic crowd,” he told biathlonworld.com.

Quentin Fillon Maillet (FRA) © Nordic Focus

“It was definitely the most incredible atmosphere and the loudest crowd noise, on the track and in the stadium, I’ve ever experienced at any biathlon race… period,” added Bailey. “When I first started biathlon in 1997, I never dreamed that the sport could become this big. It’s nothing short of thrilling!”

Results here.