December 16, 2011 (Hochfilzen, Austria) – Russia’s Olga Zaitseva was on the podium again only this time taking the top spot as she won the women’s IBU WCup 7.5km sprint in Hochfilzen claiming her first WCup victory with a time of 20:36.6 and only one penalty. A little more than a dozen seconds behind in second was top Belarus skier, Darya Domracheva, who won the 10km Pursuit race last weekend, while Sweden’s Helena Ekholm took home the bronze at +30.2.

For Canadian Megan Imrie, of Falcon Lake, Man., it was great day as she nailed the best result of her career placing 25th, with two penalties ending in a tie with Franziska Hildebrand from Germany at 1:41.5 behind Zaitseva. Zina Kocher in 50th will join Imrie in  Saturday’s Pursuit race while Rosanna Crawford in 73rd did not make the cut as only the top 60 athletes advance.

The US Team received a boost in today’s Sprint race as newcomer to the women’s squad in Hochfilzen, Annalies Cook from Saranac Lake, NY, had the top finish placing 60th and will race in the pursuit. Teammate Susan Dunklee finished 71st and was followed by Sara Studebaker in 72nd.

Full results HERE.