March 06, 2011 (Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia) – Martin Fourcade (FRA) jumped a podium spot to win Sunday’s 12.5km Pursuit race at the IBU World Championships in Khanty-Mansiysk on Sunday. The 22 year-old Frenchman’s victory marks the first of his career at such an event. Fourcade took advantage of fast skis to win in a time of 33:02.6, despite missing three targets.

“I spoke to my coach yesterday who said I should be intelligent and stay calm for a win. But my personal strategy was to attack because I really wanted this gold medal,” the elated winner told Biathlonworld.com. “I am really proud of it, but I made some mistakes. This was because I really wanted the gold and did not fight for silver. I tried to put pressure on Arnd — it was a good race.”

Coming in second place was the current runner up in yellow bib standings, Emil Hegle Svedsen from Norway, who went out 5th in the starting order and hit 18 of his 20 targets to finish just 3.8 seconds back from Fourcade.

“I felt good on the tracks and knew that if I shot 18, 19, or 20 I could possibly catch the gold medal,” commented Svedsen, “I knew it is difficult for the athletes shooting on target in the last stage. I did not give up hope, but I shot one mistake there and that is why I could not quite battle Martin for the gold. But I am quite happy with the silver…it’s a good start to the championships for me.”

Overall points leader Tarjei Boe also from Norway captured his second individual bronze of the championships as his did in Friday’s sprint competition. Boe missed two targets to finish a mere 1.6 seconds behind Svedsen, his teammate.

“I was not shooting so fast in prone. So after every round, I had five or ten seconds to fight back in the field,” Boe said of his race, “On the fourth round, I was in front. On the last round, I was a bit tired.”

Tim Burke recorded the best American result with a 30th place finish, up one spot from Friday’s sprint. Burke missed six targets for a time of 36:12.6. Jay Hakkinen jumped seven spots to finish 35th after a 2-miss performance that gave him a time of 36:25.6.

Leif Nordgren, who had a career best day at the sprints with his 26th place finish, missed six targets, dropping him to 38th. Lowell Bailey rounded out the American competitors, hitting 14 of 20 to finish 45th with a time of 37:10.0.

Canada’s Scott Perras moved up three places to finish 31st, missing three shots to finish in a time of 36:14.1. His team mate Jean-Philippe Le Guellec missed a target in each shooting stage to finish 52nd overall.

Full results HERE.

Results (Brief)

1. Martin Fourcade, FRA (0+1+2+0) 33:02.6
2. Emil Hegle Svedsen, NOR (0+0+1+1) 33:06.4
3. Tarjei Boe, NOR (0+0+1+1) 33:07.8

30. Tim Burke, USA (2+0+3+1) 36:12.6
31. Scott Perras, CAN (1+1+1+0) 36:14.1
35. Jay Hakkinen, USA (0+1+0+1) 36:25.6
38. Leif Nordgen, USA (1+2+2+1) 36:47.2
45. Lowell Bailey, USA (0+0+3+3) 37:10.0
52. Jean-Philippe Leguellec, CAN (1+1+1+1) 38:12.2