Hosts Finland taste first success at IPC Nordic Skiing World Cup

By Daniel Etchells

Finland's Maija Järvelä claimed the host country's first victory at the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Nordic Skiing World Cup in Vuokatti, winning the women's individual standing biathlon over 12.5 kilometres.

The 30-year-old won in a time of 42min 34.7sec having matched the clean sheet of Russia's Paralympic silver medallist Alena Kaufman, who finished second in 43:37.1.

Ukraine's Iryna Bui clocked 44:10.6 to complete the top three, as two missed shots cost her a two-minute penalty.

"I am really satisfied with the result but not with my skiing," said Järvelä, third in the biathlon sprint yesterday.

"My legs just didn't get it going and I couldn't really push myself to the limits.

"On the last lap it started to feel like racing

"The wind was difficult at times but I managed to shoot clean.

"I was really enjoying shooting today as I like the windy conditions.

"In the long distance race I also like the fact that shooting has a great importance.

"It is best to never give up as the shooting can make the difference."

Norway's Nils-Erik Ulset wasn't satisfied with his skiing but he still won the men's standing race ©Getty Images

In the men's standing race, Norway's Nils-Erik Ulset finished in first place with a clean sheet at the shooting range, registering a time of 38:08.8.

Although he was not satisfied with his skiing, Ulset managed to stave off the challenge of Canada's Mark Arendz, who also didn't miss a shot as he recorded a time of 39:12.9.

Russia's Kirill Mikhaylov finished third in 40:29.7, with one missed shot.

"My skiing today was not the best," said Ulset.

"The conditions were kind of difficult for me so I had to focus on shooting.

"My shooting lately has been really good so I had a good control even though it was windy.

"Overall it was a really good race for me.

"I feel I am in good shape now."

Russia's Marta Zaynullina won the women's 12.5km sitting race ©Getty Images

Despite a one minute penalty for a missed shot, Russia's Marta Zaynullina won the women's 12.5km sitting race in 40:52.7, ahead of team-mate Nadezhda Fedorova in 45:51.0, and Germany's Paralympic champion Anja Wicker in 45.57.7.

Grigory Murygin was responsible for Russia's second win of the day with a time of 44:08.3 in the men's 15km sitting race, beating compatriot Alexey Bychenko by 25.2sec.

Norway's Trygve Steinar Larsen finished third in 46:31.2.

After a third place finish yesterday, Ukraine's Oksana Shyshkova and her guide Lada Nesterenko took the victory in the women's 12.5km in 41:30.0.

Russia's Iuliia Budaleeva, winner of the biathlon sprint yesterday, and Elena Remizova had to settle for second and third place in 41:52.1 and 43:17.8 respectively.

In the closest race of the day, Ukraine's Iaroslav Reshetynskiy and his guide Artur Gergard beat teammates Anatolii Kovalevskyi and guide Oleksandr Mukshyn in the men's 15km visually impaired by just 0.8sec.

Russia's Stanislav Chokhlaev and his guide Evgenii Fatkhullin came third in 40:31.1.

More than 100 athletes from 12 countries are in Vuokatti for the first World Cup event of the 2014-2015 season.

Competition is due continue tomorrow with the cross-country middle distance races, a good indicator of form ahead of the 2015 IPC Nordic Skiing World Championships which are scheduled to take place in Cable, the United States, between January 23 and February 1.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]

Related stories
December 2014: Russia dominates at IPC Nordic Skiing World Cup in Vuokatti
April 2014: Paralympic stars to visit schools in Finland as part of Para-School Day Tour
January 2014: Russia claim all six IPC Nordic Skiing World Cup overall biathlon titles
January 2014: Russia secures wins in all six races on day two of IPC Nordic Skiing World Cup
January 2014: Russia pick up where they left off by dominating podium at Vuokatti IPC Nordic Skiing World Cup