Hi Everyone-
Big weekend for biathlon in Slovakia at Orsblie and in Czech Republic at Nove Mesto.
Yesterday, the Seniors in the IBU Cup did a sprint race, followed today by a Pursuit which is based on the results of the sprint. And only the top 60 advance then have to start with their time back from yesterday.
In the Women’s 7.5km Sprint Emily Dreissigacker shot 0,1 and finished in 28th 2:22 back. Hallie Grossman shot 2,4 and finished in 48th 4:40 back.
In the Men’s 10km Paul Schommer shot 1,1 and finished 2:27 back in 38th place. Jakob Ellingson , 2,2; 54th and 3:26 back. Alex Howe 3,2; 3:31 back in 57th and Russell Currier 3,4 in 65th and 4:30 back. Russell did not advance.
In today’s Women’s 10km pursuit, Emily Dreissigacker shot 0,1,1,1, and finished in 25th 4:39 back. Grossman was lapped and pulled from the race.
In the Men’s 12.5km Paul finished in 39th, shooting 2,2,0,0 and 5:36 back. Jakob shot 1,1,0,1 for 45th 6:45 behind. Alex Howe was lapped.
At Nove Mesto, the Women’s 7.5 km Sprint, they skied early [3:00 am our time] with Siena Ellingson taking the top US position, 62nd, shooting 1,1 and finishing 3:25 behind the Czech winner, Davidova shooting 0,1 and finishing in 22:24. Chloe Levins was next, 0,2 in 67th place 3:44 behind. Amanda Kautzer shot 3,1, 6:04 back for 91st. So none of the women will advance.
In the Men’s 10km Sprint, Vasek Cervenka put together the best race for the US, shooting 1,0 for 25th, 1:23 behind the winner, N Porshnev of Russia who missed one shot and finished in 27:26.
Travis Cooper missed 2,2 and finished in 66th , 3:40 back. Cody Johnson 0,2 for 76th, 4:30 back and Cam Christiansen, 1,1 for 79th, 4:35 back.
So to finish the Open European Junior Championships, Vasek will be the only entry in the Pursuit races tomorrow.
The next events will be the Youth and Junior World Championships in Orsblie, Slovakia beginning with Youth [15,16,17,18 yr olds] on the 22nd in Individual races and the Juniors [19,20 yr olds] in Individual races on the 23rd. Several more from the US will be joining those who have been currently racing to fill out the teams for the Worlds .
Bill Meyer