February 1, 2011  (Nove Mesto, Czech Republic) – Thekla Brun-Lie of Norway topped her 4th place finish in last year’s Youth World Championships with a victory in Tuesday’s 10km Individual in Nova Mesto. “I was sick before the sprint and the pursuit and simply not fit. I knew this was my only chance today to do well so I was very nervous,” Brun-Lie told Biathlonworld.com, “I thought I could win only on the last lap.”

Germany’s Elena Badanina took 2nd place after having taken home the bronze in both the Sprint and Pursuit races earlier in the week. Badanina hit 18 of 20 to finish just 11.2 seconds behind Brun-Lie. With Tuesday’s result, the young German has medaled in every World Championship race that she has started.

Galina Vishnevskaya of Kazakhstan took home the bronze after a two-miss performance that put her 36.6 seconds out of 1st with a final time of 34:08.3.

Canadian Sara Beaudry posted the top North American result with a 33rd place finish. The young Canuck hit 15 of her 20 targets to finish with a time of 39:41.9. Just behind Beaudry in 34th place was the best US finisher, Kelly Kjorlien. The American missed four targets on her way to a finishing time of 40:02.0. Canada’s Julia Ransom placed 36th, Carly Wynn (USA) was 43rd, Canadian Danielle Vrielink placed 47th and Silke Hynes (USA) finished in 57th.

The Youth World Championships in Nova Mesto continue on Friday with both the men’s and women’s Relay competitions.

Results HERE.