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Russians upset Germans in 4x6 km biathlon relay

 

Russians upset Germans in 4x6 km biathlon relay

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AOC

Russia, without their disgraced star Olga Pyleva, has upset the two-time defending Olympic champion Germany in the women’s 4 x 6 kilometre biathlon relay.

Russia, without their disgraced star Olga Pyleva, has upset the two-time defending Olympic champion Germany in the women’s 4 x 6 kilometre biathlon relay on 23 February (Day 13).

Pyleva, who received a two-year suspension from the International Biathlon Union, has been the only athlete to fail a drug test during the Torino Games.

She was replaced in the Russian relay team by Anna Bogaliy, who justified her inclusion by giving them a big lead at the first exchange, which they never lost.

The Russians squad of Bogaliy, Svetlana Ishmouratova, Olga Zaitseva and Albina Akhatova crossed the finishing line at Cesana San Sicario in one hour 16 minutes 12.5 seconds.

But it was the Russian’s precise target shooting that left the German favourites with little chance of snaring victory.

Germany’s strong team of Martina Glagow, Andrea Henkel, Katrin Apel and Kati Wilhelm finished 50.7 seconds behind the Russians, whilst France took bronze.

The Russians needed only two extra bullets to knock down their 40 targets whilst Germany needed eight.

Apel had to ski a penalty loop on the third leg, ruining any chance for Wilhelm to catch Akhatova on the final leg.

Tom Read/AOC
Torino

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