December 08, 2013 (Hochfilzen, Austria) – Hochfilzen has been good to Norway’s Synnøve Solemdal who claimed her second career victory at the venue in the women’s 10km Pursuit on Sunday with one penalty and a time of 30:16.2. Juliya Dzhyma (Ukr), who shot clean, was with Solemdal on the final standing session but could not contain her rival and settled for second place at 11.5 seconds back. Behind Krystyna Palka of Poland, who also shot clean, was able to overtake Veronika Vitkova of Czech Republic before the final standing session as the two battled for the bronze with Palka earning the second podium of her career.

Canada’s Rosanna Crawford landed in the points finishing 26th suffering four penalties at 2:18.6 behind the winner with teammate Megan Imrie in 45th at 3:42.7 with five penalties. Veteran Zina Kocher had a tough day on the range missing 10 targets to finish 57th. No American women qualified to race.

In the men’s 12.5-kilometer Pursuit the USA’s Tim Burke lead the North American charge racing to 21st with two penalties at 1:32.3 behind Martin Fourcade (FRA) who suffered one miss on his way to claiming World Cup win #27 with a time of 34:15.6.

Fourcade was able to dispense with Sprint winner Lars Berger (NOR), who was leading for the first half but faltered with five penalties on the standing sessions. Fourcade shot clean on the final time standing to claim the win as top Norwegian Emil Hegle Svendsen, who also only had one penalty, was able to outpace his rivals for the silver with teammate Tarjei Boe claiming third with two misses.

Following Burke was Canada’s Nathan Smith in 27th with one penalty as Lowell Bailey (USA) finished 30th at 1:52.3 with four penalties. Canada’s Jean-Philippe Le Guellec was just outside the points in 32nd with 4 misses as teammate Brendan Green finished 43rd with three penalties.

“I feel like my performance today was better than the actual result,” said Burke. “With only two penalties, I expected to move up further today but I guess everyone was performing well. I think my ski shape is getting better with every race so I am looking forward to next week’s races in France!”

Women’s results here.
Men’s results here.