March 14, 2015 (Kontiolahti, FIN) – Team Germany took no prisoners today, using only three spare rounds, on their way to a solid victory in the Men’s Relay 4×7.5km matching their women’s squad as they powered to gold at the 2015 IBU World Championships in Finland.

Germany's Schempp takes the gold ©

The Norwegians claimed the silver at 15s behind using six spares, holding off a hard-charging Martin Fourcade from France that used only four spare rounds, as he tried to catch Emil Helge Svendsen but settled for the bronze. Pre-race favourites, Russia, faltered in the range and ended up fourth.

Team USA’s Lowell Bailey, Leif Nordgren, Tim Burke and Sean Doherty were in 5th at one point but suffered on the range dropping to 14th at the finish. Canada’s Christian Gow, Nathan Smith, Scott Gow and Brendan Green moved up to 10th but fell back on the range to end up 19th.

Under clear skies and with no wind Bailey rapidly moved up from his 20th start position to lead the field into the first shooting stage where he cleaned. But in standing he had two missed falling back to 9th yet clawed back to 7th.

USA's Lowell Bailey © Nordic Focus

“The race started off relatively slow, which opened the door for me to move up through the field in the first few climbs,” said Bailey. “I was surprised that the guys at the front weren’t pushing the pace harder, and so, when the opportunity presented itself, I went to the front and just tried to keep a controlled pace until I got to the shooting range.”

Nordgren tasted 5th place but fell back to eighth as he exchanged with Burke. Canada’ Smith put his team in 10th at the handoff to Scott Gow. Burke had a solid round in the prone using one spare but missed five targets in standing, use all three spares as well as ski two penalty loops put the U.S. out of contention in 16th. Canada’s Gow suffered a similar fate in prone as the team also fell out of contention.

Canada's Green © Nordic Focus

Burke made up one spot before he tagged off to Doherty who three missed three in prone but cleaned in standing  to move the team back up to 14th place at the finish. Canada’s Green crossed the line in 19th.

Germany’s Erik Lesser, Daniel Boehm, Arnd Peiffer and Simon Schempp were unstoppable re-asserting themselves as the team to beat

Full results here.