Dzinara Smolskaya. An archive photo by Belarus' NOC
MINSK, 5 December (BelTA) - Belarusian biathletes missed out on the podium in the Women’s Mass Start at the second leg of the Commonwealth Cup in Russia’s Khanty-Mansiysk, , BelTA has learned.
The Women's Mass Start featured the 30 best biathletes from the tournament’s overall standings, including six Belarusians. Sprint winner Dzinara Smolskaya had to ski two penalty loops after the first shooting, which sent her onto the second lap of the course in only 18th place. She was perfect on the following three shoots, clawing her way back to the front of the pack. Ultimately, she finished sixth, a mere 12 seconds off the podium.
The podium spots were taken by Russian athletes Viktoriya Metelya, Anastasia Grishina, and Kristina Reztsova. Among the Belarusians, only Irina Shakleina made it into the top twenty, finishing 13th. Hanna Sola, with eight misses, placed 21st, Kseniya Varabei was 25th, Alena Kulak came in 28th, and Viktoryia Shashkova finished right after.
The men’s race begins at 1:00 pm local time. The program of the second Commonwealth Cup leg in Khanty-Mansiysk will conclude with a mixed relay on 6 December.
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