March 08, 2018 (Kontiolahti, Finland) – The USA’s Lowell Bailey claimed 16th and teammate Leif Nordgren followed in 17th for two top-20 performances in the men’s 10km sprint in Kontiolahti, Finland as the BMW IBU World Cup 7 resumed following the Olympic Games.

Russia’s Anton Shipulin shot clean for the victory followed by Andrejs Rastorgujevs of Latvia who also cleaned at 5.8 seconds behind. In third was France’s Quentin Fillon Maillet at 17.3 seconds behind Shipulin with clean shooting as well.

The top Canadian was Brendan Green who also cleaned to finish 34th at 1:29.5 behind the winner, followed by Sean Doherty (USA) in 35th with three penalties.

Doherty’s teammate, Tim Burke, was 38th also with three missed targets while American Alex Howe, competing at his first world cup race, was 68th with two penalties. Canada’s Scott Gow was 79th also with two penalties followed by his brother, Scott in 86th. Macx Davies (Can) did not start.

“I felt pretty good on the tracks and in the range today,” said Bailey. “I had a good block of training at home in Lake Placid and I know I’ve had a good season of training behind me, so I’m glad to put together a good ski time and solid range performance.”

Nordgren’s result was one of the best of his career, eclipsed only by a 16th place at a world cup sprint in Nove Mesto, Czech Republic, during the 2014-15 season.

Results here.