January 23, 2009 – (Antholz-Anterselva, Italy) – Round six of the Biathlon World Cup opened Thursday in Antholz-Anterselva, Italy with the 7.5km Sprint competition for women followed by today’s 10km sprint for the men. Canada’s Zina Kocher was the top North American woman finishing in 24th position + 1:07.5 seconds behind race winner Tara Berger of Norway. Kocher had two misses shooting. Berger’s won in a time of 21:25.5 with one miss which gave her the victory by +8.1 seconds over Darya Domracheva of Belarus. Kati Wilhelm of Germany was third +20.7 seconds back from the lead.

In the men’s 10km sprint Tim Burke of the USA took the top North American honours in 15th place despite having two misses. “This is an awesome course for me,” said Burke after the race. “And the best part is that it is a lot like the Olympic course in Vancouver.”

Canada’s Jean Philippe Leguellec was 21st with just one miss. The top six finishers are shot clean. Emil Hegle Svendsen of Norway completed the course in a time of 24:52.5 for the victory over Bjorn Ferry of Sweden by just 2.6 seconds. Tomasz Sikora took third just 6.7 seconds off the lead.

The next event will be the women’s 10km and men’s 12.5km pursuit tomorrow.

Complete women’s results here
Complete men’s results here

Results (brief)

Women

1. Tara Berger (Nor) 21:25.5
2. Darya Domracheva (Blr) + 8.1
3. Kati Wilhelm (Ger) + 20.7
4. Anna Boulygina (Rus) + 27.4
5. Albina Akhatova (Rus) + 30.2

24. Zina Kocher (Can) + 1:07.5
61. Megan Imrie (Can) + 2:24.9
67. Haley Johnson (USA) + 2:46.0
79. Lanny Barnes (USA) + 3:29.7
80. Tracey Barnes (USA) + 3:30.1
82. Laura Spector (USA) + 4:05.9
87. Sandra Keith (Can) + 4:43.4

Men

1. Emil Hegle Svendsen (Nor) 24:52.5
2. Bjorn Ferry (Swe) + 3.6
3. Thomasz Sikora (Pol) + 6.7
4. Carl Johan Bergman (Swe) + 12.7
5. Halvard Hanevold (Nor) + 19.0

15. Tim Burke (USA) + 59.0
21. Jean Philippe Leguellec (Can) + 1:08.7
56. Brendan Green (Can) + 2:07.6
59. Robin Clegg (Can) + 2:12.1
78. Jay Hakkinen (USA) + 2:53.0
84. Lowell Bailey (USA) + 3:03.8
86. Scott Perras (Can) + 3:09.3
92. Jeremy Teela (USA) + 3:28.7
97. Russel Currier (USA) + 4:02.9