Belarus’ Shakleina makes top 15 in sprint at Russian Biathlon Cup final

MINSK, 26 February (BelTA) – The final stage of the 2025/26 Russian Biathlon Cup has kicked off in Zlatoust, Russia’s Chelyabinsk Oblast, BelTA has learned.

Belarus is represented by just one athlete in the competition – Irina Shakleina. The women’s 7.5km sprint opened the final stage. The Belarusian missed one target across two shooting rounds and clocked the 13th fastest time out of 73 competitors, finishing one minute and 42 seconds behind winner Natalia Shevchenko. Inna Tereshchenko and Kristina Reztsova claimed second and third places respectively.

The women’s pursuit race will take place in Zlatoust on 28 February, followed by the mass start the next day. In the current Russian Cup season, Belarusian biathletes have secured five medals (3 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze). Victories at previous stages of the tournament were achieved by Anton Smolski, Dzinara Smolskaya, and Hanna Sola.