Anton Smolski
MINSK, 5 January (BelTA) – Belarus’ Raubichi is hosting the third leg of the 2023/24 Commonwealth Biathlon Cup, BelTA has learned.
Competing in the event are the best biathletes from Belarus and Russia. The competition program in Raubichi opened with the men's 10km sprint, featuring 34 athletes, including 11 biathletes from Belarus. Anton Smolski, the leader of the Belarusian team, was one of the last to start. He shot clean at both shooting ranges. Only four athletes showed flawless shooting at the event, but the Belarusian proved to be fastest of them. Anton Smolski finished 24 seconds ahead of second-placed Alexander Kornev of Russia. Alexander Loginov, another Russian representative, came in third. Today’s triumphant performance in Raubichi marked Anton Smolski’s fourth victory in the 2023/24 Commonwealth Biathlon Cup after three wins in Sochi.
As for other Belarusian biathletes competing in the race, Maksim Varabei finished 16th, Pavel Belko – 17th, Mikita Labastau – 21st, Ivan Tulatin – 23rd, Aliaksandr Koshyn, Raman Yaliotnau and Stsiapan Danilau placed 25th to 27th, Dzmitry Lazouski – 29th with six penalties, Ilya Auseyenka – 30th and Aliaksandr Haliak – 33rd.
28 biathletes will compete in the women’s sprint later in the day. Belarus will be represented by six athletes: Darya Kudayeva, Alena Kulak, Iryna Leshchanka, Natallia Karnitskaya, Adelina Sabitava, and Hanna Sola. Two pursuit races are scheduled for Saturday and two mass starts will take place on Sunday.
